Patrice Bergeron is "definitely not doing that well," according to coach Claude Julien.
(FILE/JACQUES BOISSINOT/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
WILMINGTON - Patrice Bergeron, who suffered a Grade 3 concussion and broken nose when drilled by the Flyers' Randy Jones Oct. 27, visited the Bruins' practice facility yesterday to receive treatment. His mother, visiting from Quebec City since the day before his injury, drove him from Boston to Ristuccia Arena.
"He still hasn't been able to have his nose set," noted general manager Peter Chiarelli, "because they have to wait for his other injuries to settle and stabilize first. He's still really out of it."
Bergeron, according to Chiarelli, received light massage on his neck and shoulders. Typical of such hits, he is also suffering from whiplash effects, his head driven into the boards by Jones's well-placed elbow. Chronic whiplash effect proved particularly bedeviling to former Bruin Jason Allison during the big center's injury-plagued tenure with the Los Angeles Kings.
Chiarelli said Bergeron is not ready to speak with the media.
"He still has to go through a battery of continued neurological testing," said Chiarelli. "He has severe whiplash, can barely move his neck."
During his visit, the 22-year-old Bergeron met with his teammates prior to their practice session.
"He's down, obviously, because he wants to help us get some wins," said veteran winger Glen Murray. "He's one of our top players, and we miss him. He's in a very tough situation."
"He's definitely not doing that well," said coach Claude Julien, adding that, as bad as the injury is, it could have been worse. "He is still feeling the effects of it, big time. It was nice to see him here, and I think it was good for his teammates to see him - but no doubt, it's going to take some time."
Meanwhile, Chiarelli is not seeking any outside answers to fill the void at center. Rather than shop for a replacement, he said, he would prefer to look within the organization for help, and identified the likes of David Krejci, Petteri Nokelainen, Vladimir Sobotka, Nate Thompson, and Jeff Hoggan as potential fixes. Of the bunch, only Nokelainen is with the varsity.
"I think we are deep enough, internally," said Chiarelli. "But to suggest that any of those players would replace Patrice is . . . "
Not realistic.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
