Bergeron

BOLTON, Mass. -- Patrice Bergeron expects to be in the lineup when the Boston Bruins begin the regular season, although he could be limited at the start of training camp because of a groin injury.

"I'm feeling good, I'm feeling positive I'll be ready definitely for the start of the season," Bergeron said Monday. "So that's not even an issue."
The 34-year-old center said he had a shot in the injured area in hope of helping his recovery. The Bruins, who open training camp Thursday, play the Dallas Stars on Oct. 3 in their regular-season opener.
Bergeron said he had to slow his offseason workouts for about two weeks after receiving a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) shot but is confident in his health and should be able to play through any issues.
"I feel better," he said. "It's still lingering a little bit. It's been there most of the summer, so I got a PRP in July I think and I'm slowly ramping it up on the ice and … I think it's what we're trying shoot for is more October rather than this Thursday.
"I think with the PRP shot we hope that -- and it's one of those things, it takes a little bit of time to work and have its effect -- so it's getting better but it's still there a little bit."
In addition to Bergeron, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said that forward Joakim Nordstrom (foot) and defenseman Zdeno Chara (elbow) might not be fully cleared by the start of training camp. Defensemen Kevan Miller (knee) and John Moore (shoulder) will not be ready.
"It just kind of lingers for him," Sweeney said of Bergeron's injury. "But again, it's a long year, so we knew that going in, we were going to be careful with some of the guys and their mileage."
Bergeron injured his groin during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes on May 16 but played all seven games in the loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final. He had four points (one goal, three assists) in the Final, and finished the playoffs with 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 24 games. He had an NHL career-high 79 points (32 goals, 47 assists) in 65 regular-season games.
"It's been a short summer. I think the best way to go at it is to kind of take it slowly and kind of make sure you get ready for October instead of getting ready for the first day of camp," Bergeron said. "I think it's how you kind of build that up and how you're able to be fully rested or feeling good in January and February and the long stretch. You know I think that's what you've got to aim for."