Pat Maroon skated the entire practice on a regular line for the Bruins on Friday.
He was scheduled to fly with the team to Pittsburgh and take part in morning skate on Saturday. Barring a setback, Boston’s veteran trade-deadline addition expects to become their veteran fourth-line right wing at 8 p.m. on Saturday against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
“Glad to be back. Glad to be part of the team again and be in the lineup. I’ll be there,” Maroon said. “I’m excited. Obviously, we’re playing a Pittsburgh team that’s trying to get into the playoffs. It’s a good start for me to get ready for the playoffs.”
Jim Montgomery didn’t want to skip any steps.
“That was a 40-minute practice. He took part in every drill for the first time on a regular rotation,” Montgomery said. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow morning. He’s progressing well.”
The Bruins traded for the 35-year-old three-time Stanley Cup winner at the deadline in hopes he’d add to the team’s veteran leadership and provide a physical presence at the bottom of the lineup. Maroon was coming off back surgery as the time and had to wait to complete rehab to get back in the lineup. He said the team has embraced him off the ice while waiting for him to join them on it.
“It’s been a great locker room. Very welcoming,” Maroon said. “It’s a good group of guys in here. Guys that want to win. Guys that are passionate. Guys that like each other. They’ve been very good to me. It’s been fun I’m excited to go out and play with them.”
Maroon, who said he felt comfortable playing either wing, expected to be playing through rust.
“I’m assuming my timing will be off. Hopefully not too bad. I’m not the fastest skater,” he said. “My hands, vision have usually got me through where I’m at right now.”
Would three regular season games be enough to get him ready?
“I don’t know,” he said after pausing to think about it. “I’ve been here before. I’ve done it. I just have to go out there and play my game.”
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