Marchand, Pastrnak likely out to begin next season after surgeries

The Boston Bruins may be without two of the league's best players to begin next season.

Brad Marchand underwent a sports hernia repair Sept. 14 that is expected to keep him out four months from the surgery date, the team announced Tuesday.

David Pastrnak, meanwhile, underwent a right hip arthroscopy and labral repair Sept. 16. The recovery time is approximately five months from the date of the procedure.

The NHL is hoping to start next season Jan. 1.

Marchand and Pastrnak make up two-thirds of The Perfection Line alongside Patrice Bergeron. Pasta tied for the league lead with 48 goals last season, and his 95 points were a career high. Marchand collected at least 85 points for the fourth straight season, racking up 87 in 70 games in 2019-20.

The Bruins have survived major injuries in the past. In 2018-19 they were without Pastrnak, Bergeron, Torey Krug - who left via free agency this offseason - Jake DeBrusk, and Charlie McAvoy for a considerable amount of time, but the team still finished second in the Atlantic Division with 107 points.

Boston has been relatively quiet this offseason. Their only notable acquisition has been five-time 20-goal scorer Craig Smith, who may be asked to play up the lineup to begin next season without Pastrnak and Marchand.

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