BOSTON — The Bruins will need to call up at least one defenseman before Thursday’s game against Toronto at TD Garden and could need to summon a second from Providence depending on how harshly the NHL deals with Charlie McAvoy.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Matt Grzelcyk will be out for a couple of weeks after leaving Monday’s game in the first period with an upper-body injury. His absence will necessitate at least one call-up as Boston has only been carrying six defensemen.
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They’d need a second defenseman if McAvoy is suspended for any length of time. McAvoy received a major and a match penalty for an illegal check to the head of Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the third period of Monday’s 3-2 win over the Panthers. The NHL Department of Player Safety reviews all match penalties to determine if further discipline is warranted. He could receive no further penalty, a fine or a suspension.
Ian Mitchell, who had an assist in two games earlier this season when Derek Forbort was out, could be an option or the Bruins could turn to 22-year-old Mason Lohrei, who played well in the preseason, but has never played in the NHL.
It isn’t always a factor, but Mitchell, like McAvoy is a right-shot, while Grzelcyk and Lohrei both shoot left-handed.
Lohrei has four assists in seven games so far. The 6-foot-4 former Ohio State standout might have beaten out Mitchell for a roster spot out of the camp, but the Bruins didn’t want Lohrei sitting as a seventh defenseman.
Grzelcyk will likely go on injured reserve. But the Bruins would have to make a roster move if McAvoy is sitting. Patrick Brown or Oskar Steen would likely be sent back to Providence.
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