The Bruins nearly made it through the preseason without injury. But then fourth-line right wing Curtis Lazar went airborne on a hard drive to the net in Wednesday's preseason finale, and will likely now miss some time as a result.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Friday that Lazar is "week-to-week" with an upper-body injury.
The Bruins do have some time before their season opener, which isn't until Oct. 16, but "week-to-week" would suggest Lazar won't be ready to return by then.
Lazar was penciled into the fourth-line right wing spot next to Tomas Nosek and Trent Frederic, so the Bruins will now need to explore other options.
One obvious choice would be veteran Chris Wagner, who appeared to be on track to be the 13th forward. Another option would be Karson Kuhlman, who is actually the player who practiced in that spot Friday, according to The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa.
Kuhlman is also a known commodity at this point, as the 26-year-old has played 56 regular-season games and 16 playoff games for the Bruins over the last three years. Keeping Kuhlman on the roster, whether in the lineup or as the 13th forward, would also save the Bruins from having to put him on waivers in order to send him to Providence, at least for the time being.
If you're wondering about Jack Studnicka, it would seem unlikely that Lazar's injury is the opening he needs to make the opening night roster. Cassidy has made it clear he views Studnicka as more of an option in the top nine than on the fourth line. Studnicka is also better suited to center than wing.
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