Zdeno Chara Ruled Out For Bruins Season Opener Vs. Jets With Upper Body Injury
BOSTON (CBS) -- Bruins head coach Claude Julien announced Thursday that captain Zdeno Chara has been ruled out for the team's season-opening game against the Winnipeg Jets at the TD Garden.
Chara has been battling an upper body injury since taking a hit from the New York Rangers' Ryan Bourque in the Bruins' 4-3 preseason shootout win on September 24. He started skating with the team on Monday after skating on his own for several days.
Chara is hoping to be ready to go for the 2015-16 season on Saturday against the division rival Montreal Canadiens.
Julien said that Chara could potentially play in the next game; he's still progressing and getting better every day
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 8, 2015
Without their captain and defensive stalwart, the Bruins blue line will have to lean on Adam McQuaid, Zach Trotman, and Kevan Miller to fill in for Chara's size and physical presence. They will have their hands full with the Jets' big forwards, led by Andrew Ladd and former Bruin Blake Wheeler.
Matt Irwin will take Chara's place on the roster. Colin Miller, Tyler Randell, and Max Talbot are listed as healthy scratches, according to the Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa.
That the 38-year-old Chara is already battling an injury is a concerning sign for his ability to stay healthy and be at full strength by the end of the season. The Bruins may have to get used to spending nights without him.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.