Training Camp Daily | B's Shorthanded

Bruins Training Camp Daily is presented by TD Bank.

BOSTON - The Bruins hit the ice again on Saturday afternoon at Warrior Ice Arena, but it was a far smaller group than anticipated, as nine players were deemed "unfit to participate" by coach Bruce Cassidy.

In addition to David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase, who have yet to join the full group so far this camp, Charlie Coyle, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Sean Kuraly, Tuukka Rask, Nick Ritchie, and Chris Wagner all missed practice for the first time during camp.

"We had no injuries to speak of," said Cassidy. "Unfit to play - the league has asked us to continue along that line for the respect of the privacy of the players. That's what we'll do…there's always different reasons. There's the quarantine rules, there's waiting on test results, there's a number of different things that factor into this. It doesn't automatically assume that we have a positive test.

"We want to get to Toronto as healthy as possible. I guess that's how I would elaborate on that. We hope to have some of these players back [on Sunday]. [Sunday] was a scheduled day off, so the group that was on today will not skate [Sunday]. We're not gonna change that. If some guys missed and are cleared to skate, then we may go on [Sunday]."

Joakim Nordstrom, who missed Friday's practice, did return and skated alongside Par Lindholm and Zach Senyshyn.

Pastrnak Quarantined

Pastrnak's agent, J.P. Barry, told a number of media outlets - including The Athletic and The Boston Globe - on Friday night that his client has tested negative for the coronavirus,\ but has been absent from practices because he is quarantined after coming into contact with someone who tested positive.

"Obviously, it's tough news," said Charlie McAvoy. "We want Pasta and those guys at the rink right now. But really, I think everybody has taken it really serious and understands what we need to do in order to have success and be in a good position - wearing masks and taking care of ourselves.

"I know that it's unfortunate, but when those guys get back, we're really excited about that and to have them rejoin the group."

Pastrnak skated for the first time with a limited number of teammates on Wednesday but has not been at the rink since. The NHL's leading goal scorer also missed the first two days of practice as he fulfilled his international quarantine requirements.

"Unfit to play is a league directive, or unfit to participate," said Cassidy. "I've tried to be upfront in the past. We're protecting the players rights. They collectively bargained that to come back. So, if they want to put it out there, any information, why they're not at practice, yeah, it makes my life easier.

"Sometimes I don't know what happened with each and every individual and their testing and what they were told and how long they were quarantined. I have a pretty good idea, but it seems to differ between players. Pasta's agent, good. There's probably a lot of conversation about it, speculation. When you don't get answers, you're gonna speculate.

"That's what we've opened ourselves up to with the players. Him coming out kind of put a nail in that coffin that he tested positive. That's good news for us. At the same time, he's not with our group. We'd like to have him back."

Later Practice

The Bruins' first five practices of the week began at 9:30 a.m., but with the team's first two round-robin games - and likely a number of others throughout the playoffs - set to begin in the late afternoon, Cassidy set Saturday's skate for 3 p.m. so the group could get accustomed to hitting the ice at an unfamiliar hour.

"I think our coaches have been really mindful of our upcoming schedule and the situations that we'll be going into. It's good," said McAvoy. "It's something that will train us and get our bodies back into some afternoon stuff versus practicing every day at 9:30 or 11 when we're usually going out.

"It's good and today is going to be a good day to get there in the afternoon and it'll kind of train you into get back into those afternoon schedule type games."

Quote of the Day

"We have some unfinished business and we're getting a chance to see this thing through. Understanding the opportunity that we have…I'm really excited for it." - Charlie McAvoy on the Bruins' chances at a Stanley Cup

Saturday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Anders Bjork

Jake DeBrusk - Jack Studnicka - Karson Kuhlman

Joakim Nordstrom - Par Lindholm - Zach Senyshyn

Anton Blidh - Trent Frederic - Paul Carey

DEFENSEMEN

Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy

Jakub Zboril - Brandon Carlo

Matt Grzelcyk - Jeremy Lauzon

John Moore - Connor Clifton

Urho Vaakanainen

GOALIES

Jaroslav Halak

Daniel Vladar

Max Lagace

UNFIT TO PARTICIAPTE

Charlie Coyle, Ondrej Kase, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Sean Kuraly, David Pastrnak, Tuukka Rask, Nick Ritchie, and Chris Wagner.