Krug Takes Another Step

BOSTON - Torey Krug practiced in full again on Tuesday afternoon and is scheduled to play in his first preseason game on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings, according to Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
The defenseman has been rehabbing from a broken left ankle suffered in Game 4 of Boston's second-round playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning in early May.

"I feel pretty good. Baby steps," said Krug, who was back paired with Brandon Carlo during Tuesday's session. "Tough to tell day-to-day, but week-to-week it's a lot better. Just trying to stay in the groove and get ready to play. I don't plan on any setbacks or anything.
"I'm feeling good, participating in full practice and getting into some battles in the corner and feeling pretty good."

Krug said all parts of his game are beginning to come together, and getting back into game action will only help to precipitate more progression.
"Probably just the quick stops and starts in the corner," Krug said of what still needs work. "I actually feel really good skating-wise. I feel faster in the neutral zone, pivots are good. Just the stops and starts, reacting to the other players in the corners - that's probably the last part of it."
When Krug does suit up against the Red Wings, he knows there will be some kinks to work out and that patience will be important.
"It's a mindset," said Krug. "You're not gonna feel exactly how you felt the last time that you played. But like I said, it will come pretty quick. I'm not too worried about it. We're right on the cusp."

Training Camp Trim

General Manager Don Sweeney announced the following training camp transactions on Tuesday:
Anton Blidh, Colby Cave, Cody Goloubef, Mark McNeill, and Jordan Szwarz were placed on waivers.
Connor Clifton, Karson Kuhlman, and Jeremy Lauzon will report to the Providence Bruins.

Almost There

The Bruins hit the ice for their first practice at TD Garden as the team also took part in its annual photo/video day. The session, which included just one larger group, lasted slightly over an hour and had a noticeably more regular-season feel.
"It's nice to have a much smaller group and a lot more of the [veteran] guys out there," said Brad Marchand. "It brings the pace up a bit. It's good to start getting comfortable with one another a little bit more. And it means we're getting close to the season, so it's nice."
With Patrice Bergeron still working his way back from offseason surgery, Marchand and David Pastrnak have had either Jack Studnicka or Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson as their center for much of the preseason. While it's highly unlikely that either will be manning the middle on Boston's top line when the regular season begins, Marchand said it's been good to form a bit of chemistry with his young teammates.
"A lot of times you have a new player on your line each game…sometimes it's nice to get a fresh start with guys and work on chemistry," said Marchand. "It gives you an opportunity to get to know a guy a little better, too, because you have a lot better communication. We're just trying to work on something and figure each other out."

Plugging Along

Cassidy ran down the laundry list of Bruins' ailments once again on Tuesday, beginning with Tuukka Rask, who was under the weather and missed practice. Rask is scheduled to start Saturday's preseason finale against Philadelphia, with Jaro Halak getting the nod on Wednesday night against Detroit.
Urho Vaakanainen, Lee Stempniak, and Daniel Winnik were all given maintenance days and should play against the Red Wings. Noel Acciari practiced fully and is expected to make his preseason debut on Wednesday.
Bergeron, Sean Kuraly, and Ryan Fitzgerald all skated prior to practice and continue to progress, while Joakim Nordstrom, Jakub Lauko, and Jakub Zboril remained off the ice.

Tuesday's Practice Lineup

Brad Marchand - Jakob Forsback Karlsson/Jack Studnicka - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Danton Heinen
Peter Cehlarik - Trent Frederic - David Backes
Chris Wagner - Noel Acciari - Anders Bjork/Ryan Donato
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
John Moore - Kevan Miller
Matt Grzelcyk - Steven Kampfer
Jaro Halak
Zane McIntyre
Dan Vladar