Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm starts skating, but return date from injury still uncertain

"When the time comes, it’ll be a big addition for our group.”

Hampus Lindholm hasn't played since Nov. 12. Rich Gagnon/Getty Images

January 7, 2025

1 minute to read

A reeling Bruins team received some good news on Tuesday, as defenseman Hampus Lindholm was spotted skating for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury back on Nov. 12.

The 30-year-old defenseman took to the ice at TD Garden before Boston’s morning skate — held hours ahead of the team’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

That’s Hampus Lindholm back on the ice. He’s been out since November 12. pic.twitter.com/3x3URZxdAU
— steve conroy (@conroyherald) January 7, 2025

Tuesday stood as another step in the right direction for Lindholm, although interim head coach Joe Sacco noted after practice that the blueliner still has no set return date for game action.

“There’s still no timeline right now,” Sacco said. “Our medical staff will tell me when he’s ready to go. I’ll go by what they say… We’re looking forward to that day, but there’s still no timeline.”

Lindholm has been sidelined for close to two months, with the veteran defenseman hobbled after blocking a shot off his knee in Boston’s road win over the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 12.

Boston has offered little in terms of clarity as far as Lindholm’s expected return date, with then-Bruins coach Jim Montgomery noting on Nov. 13 that Lindholm was expected to be out “weeks”.

Lindholm’s extended absence has been a major blow for the Bruins, given his ability to log heavy minutes, contribute on special teams, and inject offense from the blue line.

He was in the midst of a bounce-back season at the time of his injury, averaging 20:51 of ice time per game while also scoring three goals and seven total points over 16 games.

During the same game where Lindholm was injured, he was given the keys to Boston’s top power-play unit — with his playmaking ability and knack to hammering pucks from the blue line giving his team a much-needed element on a struggling man advantage.

“We miss Hampus. He plays in all situations for us. He plays against top lines,” Sacco said. “Eats up a lot of minutes. Big guy. Defends well. When the time comes, it’ll be a big addition for our group.”