Brad Marchand Returning Ahead of Schedule for the Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are getting good news. Forward Brad Marchand is returning ahead of schedule for the team and head coach Jim Montgomery says that Marchand should be back on the ice for the team before Thanksgiving. “I don’t expect him to play tomorrow,” Montgomery said. He added,. “..he’s ahead of schedule. He’s going to play before Thanksgiving. As you can tell, he’s starting to look good out there.”

"I don't expect him to play tomorrow, no…he's ahead of schedule. He's going to play before Thanksgiving. As you can tell, he's starting to look good out there." — Coach Montgomery on Brad Marchand's upcoming return pic.twitter.com/NiP2EMRbIf

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 26, 2022

Marchand was asked how things are coming along after Wednesday’s team practice and he noted, “Getting closer, for sure. Every time I get out there with the full team and do the full team practices, it’s different…definitely every day, getting closer.” He added, “I’m pushing for every day. We’ll see.”

This is all great news for Marchand and the Bruins considering just a few days ago he wasn’t sure where he was at in terms of getting back into the lineup. He said on October 16, “I feel really good. Today was more of a mental victory than anything. It’s been a long four months.”

"Getting closer, for sure. Every time I get out there with the full team and do the full team practices, it's different…definitely every day, getting closer." — Brad Marchand after today's #NHLBruins practice pic.twitter.com/ERI0CdUKZw

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 26, 2022

The Bruins are excited to have him back in the lineup and he’s one big part of two players the team is eagerly waiting on. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy is also out and the team is hoping he’s not far from returning either. Both players have been taking part in practice and captain Patrice Bergeron commented on the impact it would have to get both guys back. He noted, “Two guys that are a big part of our team. To have them back, in and around the locker room with us as well, is always great…to see that they’re making some progress is always encouraging. “

The Bruins were seen as a team coming into this season as one that needed to tread water until their stars returned. The Bruins are 6-1-0 without Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy in the lineup. Needless to say, they’ve weathered the storm extremely well.

Marchand was ruled out for a lengthy period of time after undergoing hip surgery.

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