BRIGHTON, Mass. — Both Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid were listed on injured reserve to start the season for the Bruins, and now we’re finding out why. Kevan Miller will be on the shelf for most of the next couple of months after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his left hand on Tuesday, an injury that he suffered in the preseason finale win against the Philadelphia Flyers. McQuaid is day-to-day with an upper body injury, but was able to skate on his own prior to Wednesday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena.
With both of the veteran defensemen out to start the season, Brandon Carlo and Robbie O’Gara have made the NHL club after big training-camp performances, and it looks like both will be in the lineup vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night with Joe Morrow serving as the spare defenseman for the Black and Gold.
“We said all along, the opportunity would be there for younger players if they stepped forward. You’re seeing throughout camp that we’ve had a couple players that have emerged through that regard, whether that’s through injury or just through their good play,” said Don Sweeney. “The coaching staff has been excited about their play. So, we move forward with that and we feel we’ve added a lot of dimensions to our team.”
Miller was operated on by Dr. Matthew Leibman at Newton-Wellesley Hospital on Tuesday, October 11, and the expected recovery time is six weeks for a rugged D-man that’s had his share of injuries over the last three seasons. With Patrice Bergeron also out for the opener with a lower body injury, former Buffalo Sabres center and New Hampshire native Tim Schaller is back up with the B’s and could make his debut with Boston on Thursday night as well.