Entering Tuesday’s game, Kelly had tallied two goals and a plus/minus rating of plus-three in more than 14 minutes on ice per game. He will be a free agent after the season. Coach Claude Julien had called Kelly a Swiss Army Knife and that high praise highlights the kind of depth player the team lost Tuesday.
Advertisement
“He will undergo surgery on Wednesday at Mass General Hospital and his expected recovery time is between six and eight months”.
The 34-year-old winger had two goals in 10 games this season, coming off a year where he notched 28 points in 80 games.
“He’s a guy that is extremely respected by his teammates, and on the ice he’s given us everything we’ve asked for”. He’s going to be dearly missed, there’s no doubt about that.
Acquired during the 2010-11 Stanley Cup season, Kelly is one of the longest-tenured players on a largely fresh-faced Bruins roster. After Patrice Bergeron, he has spent more time on the penalty kill than any other Boston forward this year, and his reliable presence will be missed on the PK.
He did not leave the game under his own power.
Advertisement
It will be tough on the Bruins as well, who are surging in the standings, but have already had their depth tested with a number of injuries early in the season.
