How Bruce Cassidy almost became latest Bruins injury concern

Bruce Cassidy had knee replacement surgery over the summer, and it didn't take long into Bruins training camp to test it out.

During a drill in the afternoon practice Friday, defenseman Alex Petrovic, a veteran in camp on a tryout agreement, crashed into Cassidy.

Alex Petrovic takes out Bruce Cassidy during a drill this morning at #nhlbruins training camp pic.twitter.com/UcoFgfu42x

Cassidy took his time getting to his feet and skated around a little gimpy for a couple minutes after before getting back to full strength.

"Yeah, I took a wipeout," Cassidy said. "It actually hit the tendon in the side, so I couldn't put any weight on it at first, I couldn't get up. I told Pando that, I said 'I don't think I'm getting up right now.' Anyway, feels good now.

"I know it can take a hit."

It wasn't the best way for someone without a contract to make a first impression.

"That was unfortunate to run into Bruce there, but lost an edge, just kind of not the best spot to lose your edge," Petrovic said. "I actually got up and said I was sorry but I was trying to get back into the drill. I wanted to see if he was all right, but I think he's fine.

"He's a pretty tough guy."

Cassidy avoided the injured list, but here's an update on some of the banged-up Bruins:

*Patrice Bergeron (groin), Trent Frederic (lower body) and Joakim Nordstrom (foot) were part of a group that skated with skills coach Kim Brandvold before the two main practice sessions. Frederic is scheduled to join the main group Saturday, while Bergeron and Nordstrom will make a decision in the morning.

*Zdeno Chara, coming off elbow and jaw surgery, was a little doubtful about his chance to play in the Bruins season opener at Dallas on Oct. 3 when he addressed the media last week. He seemed more confident about being able to face the Stars when he spoke Friday.

"I believe so. You know as of right now I think that it feels pretty good. You know I'm looking forward to tomorrow, the next day and my goal is to keep getting stronger and feeling better," Chara said.

Chara wasn't limited during practice but don't expect him to see a lot of game action before the regular season starts.

"So right now I'm basically part of all of the drills. I don't think I'll be playing first few [exhibition> games, that's probably something that we have to talk about what's going to be after," he said. "And I think with less games that in previous years, definitely I think most of the guys that played all the way to the finals won't see probably many of those games. But again it's something that the coaching staff and management have to decide."