New coach, old captain: Bruins hoping for another run at Cup

BOSTON (AP) — For one day, they were all in the building: Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask and other members of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup championship team.

What Boston fans can expect to see on the ice this season will be much different.

Marchand, the team’s No. 1 scorer last season, will miss the first six weeks recovering from hip surgery. Rask returned only to watch Chara sign a ceremonial contract before joining him in retirement. Bergeron spent most of the summer with one skate out the door but is back for another run at the title.

Top defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss about two months while recovering from shoulder surgery. Matt Grzelcyk also had shoulder surgery but could be back a bit earlier than that. Mike Reilly had ankle surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

The Bruins hope they can weather the first two months until they get healthy.

BACK TOGETHER

The biggest offseason move was Bergeron deciding to return.

The team captain teased a retirement despite putting up another strong season in 2021-22, scoring 25 goals with 40 assists and winning his fifth Selke Trophy. Even at 37, his return solidifies the offense — and a locker room that will be adjusting to first-year coach Jim Montgomery.

“I don’t have to go into the locker room very much if he comes back. That was the main takeaway,” Montgomery said after he was hired. “He’s got good control of what’s going on, and how to lead.”

Also coming back is David Krejci, who spent last season playing in his home Czechia. Former Devil Pavel Zacha signed as a free agent and he will help fill in on the top line until Marchand is healthy.

BIG CHANGES

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney fired coach Bruce Cassidy, who