On October 15, during the first period Bruins’6-3 win over Coyotes, Liam O’BrienHis right shoulder was thrust into the air. Brandon Carlo’s chest. Once O’Brien recovered the puck, Carlo marked the Arizona forward to the front of the Bruins’ net.
After that, Carlo’s shift took an unfortunate turn.
“As I was skating up the ice, I really couldn’t see the play once I got to the far blue line,” Carlo recalled on Monday. “I don’t know if it was one of my eyes or whatnot was black. I couldn’t really assess what was going on further down the ice. So I went back to the locker room just to let that cool off.”
The hit on Carlo. #NHLBruins https://t.co/ovSPl33KOX pic.twitter.com/HmIW14ikcS
— Mr. Tenkrat (@PeterTenkrat) October 15, 2022
Carlo suffered a concussion shortly after he left the ice. Carlo was diagnosed with a concussion for the fifth time in his 405-game NHL season. The defenseman hasn’t played in the last four games.
Carlo’s four other concussions (who hit him to cause the concussions) and their outcomes:
- April 8, 2017, (Alex Ovechkin(He missed the entire playoffs).
- March 5, 2020Evgenii Dadonov, missed two games prior to the NHL’s COVID-19 shutdown)
- March 5, 2021Tom Wilson, missed 10 games)
- June 3, 2021 (Cal Clutterbuck missed three playoff games).
Carlo felt fine by Oct. 18, three weeks after his concussion. He returned to training on Oct. 21 wearing a noncontact uniform.
Monday was his first time in a regular jersey. Carlo skated on an extra pair Anton Stralman. When he’ll play is unknown.
“Carlo’s getting close,” coach Jim Montgomery said. “I’m going to be cautious with him.”
Montgomery had high hopes for Carlo in the previous season. Montgomery described the 25-year old as similar to him. Colton ParaykoThe right-shot defenceman he coached in St. Louis was. Carlo’s skating was a reason why the first-year coach thought he had plenty of room to improve offensively. Carlo would play big minutes alongside his coach. Hampus LindholmThe No. 1 pairing.
Carlo was attentive. After a It will be difficult to get through 2021-22Carlo, who was coaching under Bruce Cassidy as an ex-coach, was keen to develop his offensive game with Montgomery.
Carlo will need to find a way back into the rotation. Carlo stated that his recovery from concussions has not caused team doctors to be concerned about his health. Carlo stated that he is confident about his return to game action and the ability to fulfill his role of a shutdown defenseman.
Five concussions is not a bad number. Carlo is guaranteed a contract through 2027, at $4.1million annually.
“Definitely concern with that,” Carlo said of accumulating concussions. “From a hockey aspect, I still feel very good. I feel safe to play any way. But with these things, it’s hard because you want to be reliable for your team. It’s a weird injury where you can’t really see it besides what I’ve been experiencing with it all. It’s hard like you’re talking about. I want to keep being reliable for my family members and friends. That’s a component of life you have to take into account. It’s good the conversation that’s been had over the past couple years with concussions and things that have been going on. Because they’re very real, and I’ve experienced a lot of those symptoms and a lot of those different things. But overall, I still feel very good about where I’m at.”
Carlo’s unavailability occurred with the Bruins already compromised on the right side of the blue line. Charlie McAvoyOn Monday, he practiced in a non-contact uniform. He could still be out for a month. Anton Stralman has appeared in only one game. Matt GrzelcykAnd Mike ReillyBoth left shots have had to play their opposite sides.
The Bruins are 5-1-0. This is partially because Connor CliftonHas been a reliable right-shot defenceman.
Clifton’s average ice time per game is 22:22. This is second to Lindholm (24,55). Clifton’s previous career record was 18:13 for 2020-21. Clifton has a defense-best of four points, tied with Lindholm. He’s been credited with a team-leading 20 hits.
Clifton, most commonly paired with Derek ForbortAverage 22:10 minutes of even-strength and penal-killing ice per game Leaguewide, only five right-shot defencemen log more: Cale Makar (23:14), Drew Doughty (23:06), Parayko (23:03), Adam Larsson(22:54). Seth Jones (22:39).
“When players get into a rhythm of playing, they get more confident. They’re touching the puck more,” Montgomery said. “He knows the team needs him to be really good for us to have success. He’s a really competitive young man. Because he’s so competitive, he relishes more minutes. He relishes being relied on to help the Boston Bruins win hockey games.”
Clifton will be free to do whatever he wants after the season. Clifton, 27, is looking forward to a nice raise.
(Top photo of Bruins’ Brandon Carlo, left: Geoff Burke / USA Today)
