Injury to Bruins’ Charlie Coyle Could Affect 2nd-Line Center Role

With the departure of David Krejci from the Boston Bruins’ organization this offseason, the decision to promote Charlie Coyle to a second-line center role was announced rather quickly. He’ll jump up in minutes and play alongside Taylor Hall in the hopes that the Bruins don’t miss much of an offensive beat as the 2021-22 NHL season begins. There’s only one problem.

Coyle underwent knee surgery this offseason and it has been learned the issues go well back into last season. It affected his production and there’s some talk he’s not fully healed heading into the team’s training camp next week. That means his role on the second line could be limited when the Bruins get up and running, according to GM Don Sweeney.

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The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa has shared the news of Coyle’s situation. He writes: “Charlie Coyle may be limited at the start of camp. Josiah Didier, Victor Berglund, and J.D. Greenway are injured.” This is not great news for the Bruins, even if Coyle has been on the ice and participating.

The Bruins are relying on him taking a big jump this season and don’t have much in the way of a backup plan if Coyle on the second line doesn’t pan out. It will put a little more pressure on Hall to run that line, something he’s already planning on doing. When asked how he’ll prep for the season playing with Coyle, Hall told reporters, “It doesn’t really change my preparation or focus for the year. … Whatever line I’m slotted in, hopefully, I can drive that line like I have in the past.”

Can Coyle Make the Jump?

Coyle has been productive, but also a bit inconsistent since joining the Bruins during the 2018-19 NHL season. This is the year the team really needs him to find a rhythm and become a regular producer for the Bruins, especially without Krejci in the fold and as the team gets a bit older and their window to win shrinks.

The good news here is that if his knee injury was holding him back, once he gets fully healthy, he could be a much strong player and boost his production significantly playing with Hall and Craig Smith.

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