Having not played since November 30th, 6 foot 5, 209 pound Adam McQuaid will make his return to the Bruins lineup Monday vs. the Nashville Predators. As was said earlier, McQuaid has now spent 24 days on IR following a freak lower body injury suffered when he randomly fell down during a late November game against the Blue Jackets and was unable to skate back to his bench.
"It was the first time in my career that I had to face something like this and kinda confusing where I was not sure when to come back. But I'm medically cleared now so I'm good to go." McQuaid said on a NESN interview prior to the game. He has definitely been taking his time coming back however as the ease at which November 24th re-injury occurred undoubtedly unnerved the Bruins front office. As recently as Saturday, McQuaid's coaches were rumored to not be planning to allow him to return to action until after this week's 3 day Christmas break.
McQuaid however wanted desperately to get back as soon as possible.
“I hope that’s not the case,” he said. “I want to be back playing as soon as I can. I definitely don’t want to be going through that cycle of coming back a little bit too soon (and getting hurt again). But when I’m ready, I’ll be ready. Hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.”
McQuaid wanted so desperately to return to action as we have been shown of late how much the Bruins recognize the teams need for players to grit their teeth and endure minor pains that in some cases would have them sitting out. As recently as Saturday Brad Marchand played like a robot as in the words of Jack Edwards "he just goes back into the locker room and swaps out a limb." But there is more to the McQuaid story than just the benefits of having another body on the bench.
In a string where (far from coincidentally) even Patrice Bergeron has been fighting, an Adam McQuaid who has had 25 fights during his 4 seasons as a starter will be a welcome boost in the Bruins signature physical style of play.
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