Setback for Vatrano
Injury KOs winger
The Bruins have hit their first major bump in the road of the 2016-17 season.
Frank Vatrano, who was expected to push for a top-6 forward’s role after a strong rookie season in Providence and Boston, will be out three months after suffering torn ligaments in his left foot while training just prior to camp opening. General manager Don Sweeney said Vatrano will undergo surgery by Dr.
George Theodore tomorrow at Mass. General.
“Obviously, it’s a blow,” said Sweeney. “Frankie looked at this as an opportunity. We all did. How that was going to play out remained to be seen, but he certainly was going to be put in position to grab a hold of it. So he’s disappointed and we are as well. All injuries are a setback, but the doctors feel very good that three months from now he’ll be ready to play.”
It’s a tough break for Vatrano, who was looking forward to taking the next step in his career. Thanks in large part to a focus on his fitness, Vatrano made the jump from UMass to Providence and then got some quality time in Boston. He was a regular attendee at captains’ practices that began the last week in August at Warrior Ice Arena.
Vatrano was a sensation in Providence last year, notching 36 goals in 36 games along with 19 assists. In 39 games with the B’s, the 22-year-old left-shooting winger had 8-3-11 totals.
The Vatrano injury now opens the door for players such as Danton Heinen, Zach Senyshyn, Peter Cehlarik, Jake DeBrusk and tryout Peter Mueller to get longer looks. Tuukka’s back
Fresh off Team Finland’s 0-3 performance at the World Cup, Tuukka Rask made an appearance in the dressing room yesterday and after a short respite he’s expecting to get back on the ice in the next few days. Coach Claude Julien was up front on his desire for his team to play at a faster pace and that usually sounds good to just about everyone, except a goaltender. But while Rask may see more high quality chances, he’s well aware of what direction the game is going.
“That’s what hockey is. It’s a fast game,” said Rask. “We saw it firsthand against the North American team there. They’re young guys but they played a fast game and managed the puck well, so I think that’s how a lot of teams like to play. Team Finland didn’t like to play a fast game and it didn’t really work well for us. But it’s good. Obviously, there’s going to be some turnovers and odd man rushes, but that just comes with it and it’s how the game is played now. I think it’s even better for the fans when your team attacks more and tries to create scoring chances.”
There was talk last year about speeding up the game and it began disastrously for the Bruins with an 0-3 start. The B’s righted the ship once they tightened things up. Rask looks at the troubles last year on inexperience.
“I guess we made a lot of mistakes last year and in this league when you make a lot of mistakes in your own end, they’re going to end up biting you right away,” said Rask. “So that’s something that comes when you have a lot of tiring players. Those things are going to happen. But the truth is, the less mistakes you make the better chance of winning you have. If you make mistakes, where are you going to make mistakes?
“Everyone’s going with more experience from last year and I think it will be beneficial for us.” Krejci mixes it up
David Krejci, recovering from hip surgery, is under a modified contact provision, but he took some unexpected bumps yesterday, at one point running into the sturdy Tyler Randell in the slot.
“Sometimes you get some bumps when you don’t really want to, but I’m glad I did because I felt pretty good after it. It’s just another step closer. Practices are fun, but I’m looking forward to playing some games,” said Krejci, who doesn’t yet know when he’ll get into a preseason game.
“I don’t really feel smooth out there yet. It’s close. It feels better every day. I’m just waiting for that one practice where it’s smooth and then I can hop in some games.” Twitter: @conroyherald
‘All injuries are a setback, but the doctors feel very good that three months from now he’ll be ready to play.’ — DON SWEENEY, Bruins GM, on the loss of Frank Vatrano