Bruins getting three-time Stanley Cup winner back from LTIR

The Bruins were relatively quiet at the trade deadline, only making a pair of smaller moves.  While Andrew Peeke has settled into a depth role, their other addition hasn’t even played yet.  That will change Saturday night as Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic relays that winger Pat Maroon will play against Pittsburgh, meaning he has been activated off LTIR.

Boston acquired the 35-year-old from Minnesota, but at the time, Maroon had already been out for a little over a month after undergoing back surgery.  When he had the procedure, the anticipated recovery time was four to six weeks, but in the end, it winds up being closer to nine.  However, he’ll at least get a chance to play in their final three games of the regular season, which should be enough to get him playoff-ready.

Maroon played in 49 games with the Wild before the swap, picking up four goals and a dozen assists along with 71 hits and 60 penalty minutes, numbers that are reasonable for a fourth liner.  Boston undoubtedly had interest in his postseason experience as well as Maroon is tied for eighth among active NHL skaters with 150 playoff appearances, including a trio of Stanley Cup titles between 2018-19 and 2020-21.

In order for the Bruins to formally activate Maroon, they need to be cap-compliant to do so.  They were able to accomplish that on Friday when they re-assigned defenseman Mason Lohrei to AHL Providence so no further roster movement will be needed.