The Boston Bruins felt the impact of a challenging season, especially with key defensemen sidelined for long periods.
Hampus Lindholm, a crucial presence on both defense and special teams, was limited to just 17 games before a fractured patella—sustained while blocking a shot—ended his season prematurely.
“It’s been a frustrating process, especially not being able to be out there and support the team with how things have gone,” Lindholm told reporters Thursday at Warrior Ice Center, according to team-provided audio. “I’ve just been trying to focus on what I can control and work through the recovery.”
Lindholm suffered the injury on November 12 against the St. Louis Blues. Initially, there was optimism that he could return sooner due to some favorable structural conditions around the fracture. However, pushing too hard led to complications that ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the season, which ended in disappointment with the Bruins missing the playoffs.
“I had a bit of good luck in bad luck—the fracture didn’t cause any long-term damage,” Lindholm said. “That gave us hope I could come back earlier, but I pushed it a bit too soon, which led to setbacks. We had to go back in and remove a piece that was bothering me. It was tough not being able to return and help the team, but after talking with the doctors and staff, we decided it was best to prioritize long-term health. We always knew I would make a full recovery, but the timing just didn’t allow for a return this season.”
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