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Patrice Bergeron injury update: Bruins center out for season opener

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with the bench after scoring his second goal of the game during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. The Bruins won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates with the bench after scoring his second goal of the game during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. The Bruins won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Bruins will be without Patrice Bergeron for their season opener on Thursday against the Blue Jackets. 

The Boston Bruins are looking to make a return to the playoffs in 2016-17 after missing the postseason the past two seasons. In order to make the playoffs, they must get out to a strong start and that strong start could be a bit more difficult than they anticipated, as star center Patrice Bergeron has a lower body injury and won’t play in their season opener on Thursday.

"Bergeron suffered a lower-body injury and is currently being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. He will not travel with the team to Columbus."

Without Bergeron, the Bruins are obviously a worse team, but they have some options as far as replacing him. Center David Krejci will likely see his playing time increased, as will center Ryan Spooner. Another option is center David Backes, who they just signed this offseason. Backes is the most likely option to replace Bergeron on the first line, as he practiced in Bergeron’s spot on Tuesday.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the worst teams in the NHL, so the Bruins should be fine without Bergeron for their season opener. Hopefully for the Bruins, this is not a long-term issue because Bergeron is extremely important to their success.

Bergeron had 68 points last season, his highest total since the 2006-07 NHL season. He also scored a career-high 32 goals in 80 games. He has won three Frank J. Selke Trophies as the league’s best defensive forward. In 820 career games, Bergeron has 238 goals and 618 points. Bergeron was originally drafted by the Bruins in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft. He finished second in Selke Trophy voting last season while averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per game.

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