Acquired three weeks ago at the NHL trade deadline, the 35-year-old left winger still is recovering from back surgery while skating at the club’s Brighton practice facility.
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ARLINGTON, Va. — Still missing: one Big Rig in a Black-and-Gold sweater.
“Doing better,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, when asked Friday for an update on hulking left winger Pat Maroon. “I think it’s three days in a row on the ice and looking better and better.”
Acquired three weeks ago at the NHL trade deadline, the 35-year-old Maroon is still recovering from back surgery while skating at the club’s Brighton practice facility.
Prior to undergoing the repair, Maroon played 49 games this season with the Wild, posting 4 goals and 12 assists. He last played Jan. 27 in Minnesota’s 3-2 loss to visiting Anaheim.
“Right now, it’s just a matter of getting his conditioning up,” Montgomery said.
If he is finally cleared to play, Maroon’s likely starting point would be on a fourth line, centered lately by the speedy Jesper Boqvist. Potential riding mates at the opposite wing would be Johnny Beecher, Jakub Lauko, Justin Brazeau or perhaps even James van Riemsdyk.
The fit of left and right sticks could be an issue, but it’s presence that Montgomery wants most from that trio.
“Another player that knows how to play the right way,” he said when asked what Maroon brings to a lineup. “Knows how to win, knows the physical element, understands momentum and understands how to create offense down low.”