Timeline for Brad Marchand's Return Offers Bad News for Bruins Fans

Brad Marchand underwent double hip surgery this spring, leaving Boston with a glaring hole on their top line. GM Don Sweeney found a low-key great replacement fit in Pavel Zacha for the low-low price of Erik Haula.

However, Zacha will never be Marchand. And as though Marchand's absence was bad enough news, Bruins fans are going to be waiting a while for his return, as word broke today he is expected to return after Thanksgiving.

The reason this is so problematic for Boston is that they will be without Marchand AND Charlie McAvoy for the first leg of the season, and it is a known phenomenon that stats favor teams in and around playoff spots come Thanksgiving.

If the Bruins cannot supplement the loss of their two stars and come out of the gate strong, they could really struggle to recuperate their place in the standings. The Atlantic Division got buffed heavily this summer, namely in the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.

Boston's season is entirely dependent on the secondary scorers and depth players pulling more than their weight. It is also the team's first season under new head coach Jim Montgomery, so who knows if their top-ranked defense -- under Bruce Cassidy, who they fired -- holds up under a new regime?

Marchand's timeline, along with McAvoy's, is terrible news for Bruins fans, and Boston is absolutely at risk of missing the playoffs in 2022-23.

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