BOSTON — Surrounded by media as he sat at his locker at Warrior Arena where he’d just practiced with the Bruins, Pat Maroon smiled.
After weeks of skating on his own and rehabbing away from teammates he’s yet to play with, Maroon is still several days away from even having a chance to play. But being on the ice and practicing felt like a big step for the veteran forward, who was traded to the Bruins from Minnesota at the trade deadline.
“If felt good. It felt lonely skating by myself. Felt good to be back with the guys,” Maroon said. “Try to get up to speed with those guys. Excited to feel a part of it. Excited to be back. I’m close. It’s a good sign when you’re practicing with the team.”
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The Bruins have just seven games between now and the start of the playoffs. Maroon would like to get in the lineup before the postseason to get some conditioning and experience with his new team and a chance to establish some chemistry.
“I would like to play a couple games. That’s the end goal to play a couple games before the playoffs,” said Maroon, who said he’s been impressed with the Bruins’ medical staff. “They’ve been really good with me. I can’t thank enough the staff here. They’ve been really patient with me doing all the right things to make sure I’m 100 percent.”
Maroon hoped he might be back next week. Jim Montgomery thought next weekend at Pittsburgh might be the earliest. Maroon was champing at the bit.
“I’m really excited. I can’t wait. Especially watching the Florida game and Tampa game. Makes you want to get out and battle with the boys,” he said. “Just putting on the practice jersey for an Original Six team. This is a team a lot of guys want to play for. They’re a great group here, a great group of guys. They’re a good hockey team. I want to be a part of this as soon as possible.”
As soon as the medical team tells him it’s possible, that is.
“Back injuries are no fun. You’ve got to be smart,” Maroon said. “You don’t want it to flare up again or have a setback.”
Whenever he returns he just wants to add to a good team.
“There’s a reason we’re on top of the standings,” he said. “I think the biggest thing for us is sticking with the structure and sticking through the process for all 60 minutes. Playing simple. Playing hard. We have all the skill in the world. We just have to play smart and play disciplined.”
