WILMINGTON, Mass.The Bruins have one eye on the open of NHL free agency today, but they're also focused on the health and well-being of the players they already have under contract.
Nathan Horton missed the final 36 games of the regular season with a concussion last season, but he should be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Hortons agent, Paul Krepelka, said that the winger is doing well and is on schedule to begin training camp in September without any setbacks. Peter Chiarelli had confirmed to CSNNE.com two weeks ago that Horton was beginning light exercises as one of the first crucial steps back from a concussion, and there havent been any difficulties since that point.
The Bruins were 18-16-2 without Horton in the lineup last season, and their offense dropped an entire goal in their goals-per-game production when the top line right winger was sidelined. Hortons injury affected their overall offense and their depth given that Rich Peverley was forced to move up from his third line post to top line duty.
With Horton in place to start the season healthy after suffering two concussions within seven months, the Bruins might not have nearly as many offensive question marks as they did at the end of last season.