WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell returned to practice Tuesday morning after being kept off the ice for a week with an upper-body injury.
Campbell suffered the injury during the team’s 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 22 and has missed the team’s last three games. Asked whether he would be available for Thursday night’s game against the Calgary Flames, Bruins coach Claude Julien said he isn’t sure, as Campbell has yet to be cleared for contact.
“I haven’t talked to the trainers,” Julien said. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings and we’ll figure it out from there.”
At the start of practice, Campbell skated on the fourth line between Chris Kelly and Brian Ferlin.
Newcomer Brett Connolly, acquired from the Tampa Bay Lighting on Monday, eventually joined the trio midway through practice. He will wear No. 14 with the Bruins. The team’s first three lines remained unchanged.
Julien said he has yet to determine which line Connolly will play on.
As for the team’s other trade-deadline acquisition, veteran forward Maxime Talbot, Julien said he is expected to arrive in Boston on Tuesday night. A center with the Colorado Avalanche this season, Talbot's role in Boston remains to be seen.
“It's good to have some options, it's good to have some center men that are able to take draws and some interchangeable parts,” Campbell said. “Whatever they decide, I'm sure they'll do what's best for the team.”
Defenseman Adam McQuaid was not present for practice Tuesday. Julien confirmed afterward that he was given a maintenance day.
