Max Talbot is back with the Bruins today. Unfortunately, it took a serious injury to Chris Kelly for that to happen.
Talbot was sent to the AHL last week. The 31-year-old played three games for Providence, registering four assists.
With 6-8 months needed to recover from a left femur fracture, Kelly’s season is most likely done. A 34-year-old pending unrestricted free agent, his career may be in jeopardy, too.
Kelly was the last bottom-six holdover from the Bruins’ 2010-11 Stanley Cup-winning lineup. (The Merlot Line is gone. So are Rich Peverley and Michael Ryder, Kelly’s linemates during that run.)
There are, of course, salary-cap implications to consider, as Kelly has a $3 million cap hit:
The Bruins start a tough three-game road trip Thursday in Washington, before stops in Montreal Saturday and Brooklyn Sunday.
Here’s how all four lines looked at this morning’s skate, after last night’s 5-3 loss to Tyler Seguin and the Stars:
Gold: Marchand, Bergeron, Connolly
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 4, 2015
White: Eriksson, Krejci, Koko
Gray: Beleskey, Spooner, Hayes
Red: Talbot, Randell, Kemppainen, Rinaldo