Once seemingly lost for the season, Derek Forbort inching toward return with Bruins
"The timeline we got from the surgeons was longer than we got here. What do they know?"
Don Sweeney didn’t have much good news to offer regarding Derek Forbort’s health back in early March.
Boston’s decision to add more snarl to its blue line at the trade deadline in Andrew Peeke was partly a byproduct of Forbort’s status — with nagging injuries prompting the veteran defenseman to go under the knife.
“One of the items that obviously came out today was in regards to Derek Forbort, and we went and put Derek on [long-term injured reserve],” Sweeney noted on March 8. “People should realize that Derek has been playing through two significant injuries. One for sure is requiring surgery, and the other is one that quite possibly could.
“So real kudos, and testament to the character of Derek wanting to be that ultimate team player and play through some significant pain and injuries.”
What a difference a few months can make.
Once seemingly ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, Forbort skated in a regular practice sweater on Monday ahead of Boston’s Game 2 matchup against the Maple Leafs.
Even though the 32-year-old skater will not play on Monday, Jim Montgomery acknowledged that the stay-at-home D-man is getting closer.
“He’s not an option tonight,” Montgomery said of Forbort. “He is making progressions and hopefully down the near future he might be an option.”
Forbort was recalled by Boston on Monday after playing on a conditioning loan with the Providence Bruins in an attempt to get back up to speed. He played two games in the AHL over the weekend.
“(He was) better game two than game one,” Montgomery said. “Timing was better.”
Forbort skated alongside Parker Wotherspoon during Monday’s morning skate, and is expected to travel to Toronto later this week for Games 3 and 4.
“I’m just trying to get my legs back, timing, see how it felt,” Forbort said. “I’m getting close. Trying to do as much extra stuff out there that I can to get the conditioning back and the strength back. It’s fun being out there feeling normal again.”
Forbort acknowledged that he’s well ahead of his initial recovery timeline, with his last game coming on March 2. Forbort was limited to just 35 games during the regular season, recording four assists and averaging 17:48 of ice time per contest.
“The timeline we got from the surgeons was longer than we got here. What do they know?” Forbort said.
Even though Peeke has helped solidify Boston’s third pairing since arriving last month, the Bruins should welcome any reinforcements that might be available during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“It’s nice to see Forby out there, obviously I think he’s played a couple games in Providence. Good for him. Obviously, he’s been battling and even before he was injured, he was battling with it,” Jake DeBrusk said of Forbort’s return. “It’s one of those things where he’s very tough, you see him block shots and kind of play hard minutes and in that side of things, you can get dinged up in different aspects.
“So to see him back in the mix — I know he loves hanging out with the guys, so it’s nice for him and his mind. At the same time, any reinforcements this time of year is good to have.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com