Kevan Miller, Adam McQuaid missing from Bruins practice

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BRIGHTON, Mass. – The Bruins expected to have something very close to their opening night roster for Monday morning practice at Warrior Ice Arena and perhaps there will be an even bigger youth movement than originally anticipated. 

Veteran stay-at-home defensemen Kevan Miller and Adam McQuaid were both missing from the practice ice, and have each battled physical ailments in the preseason.

McQuaid wasn't available for practice on Friday and didn't play in the preseason finale vs. the Flyers, but Miller did play in the overtime win against Philadelphia last weekend. 

One or both could also potentially be moved in trade if the Bruins felt that their younger defensemen were ready to step in right away, but it’s easier said than done dealing No. 5 or No. 6 defensemen with cap hits approaching $3 million apiece. Both McQuaid and Miller could also be placed on waivers given that Monday is the deadline prior to setting rosters late Tuesday afternoon, but it would be hard to believe, though not impossible given the upcoming expansion draft dilemma each team is facing, that they couldn’t at least get something of value in trade for a pair of established NHL defensemen.

Instead, Rob O’Gara and Brandon Carlo were still with the NHL team on Monday after stellar preseason performances for both youngsters and they were mixed in with the group that’s expected to open the season Thursday night in Columbus vs. the Blue Jackets. 

The Bruins spent the majority of practice working on special teams on Monday morning, and certainly looked like a group focused on getting ready for the season rather than worrying about any roster concerns.

Here are the projected line combos and D-pairs from practice:

 

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

Spooner-Krejci-Backes

Beleskey-Moore-Hayes

Nash-Acciari-Heinen

 

Chara-Carlo

Krug-Ehrhoff

Liles-C. Miller

Morrow-O’Gara

 

Rask

Subban

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