Coyle Takes Another Step in Recovery from Offseason Surgery

BOSTON - Charlie Coyle took a significant step in his recovery from offseason knee surgery on Monday when he shed his non-contact jersey and joined his teammates for a full practice session as the second week of Bruins training camp commenced at Warrior Ice Arena.
"I don't like that jersey," said Coyle. "You never want to be the guy out there that no one knows how to play you - it's just awkward. You want to be like everyone else and be on the same level as everyone else and just play hockey, put everything behind you and just play, be with the guys, and get better.
"I was happy about it. It's good mentally, too, to just get out there and do things 100 percent and be out there with everybody."

Coyle admitted the summer was taxing as he recovered from the procedure and was unable to take the ice for his normal offseason regimen. With most of the players around the league able to train feely, the pivot tried to maintain a positive attitude and put things in perspective.
"I'm not used to that really," said Coyle. "Usually, you come in in the summertime and you're healthy and you get to work on things and skating and work on your skills and different things to get better, but I wasn't able to get on the ice.
"The whole rehab thing is a mental challenge as well because you know everyone else around the league and your teammates are working at their game and you can't get on the ice yet.
"I just kept telling myself, the summertime I won't be able to skate, but come playoffs I'll have more juice."

The 29-year-old is considered the leading candidate to take David Krejci's place as the Bruins' second-line center between Taylor Hall and Craig Smith, who have had Jack Studnicka as their pivot through the first few days of camp. Coach Bruce Cassidy said over the summer that Coyle was the "obvious choice," but Coyle is not taking that for granted, saying that he is doing his best to earn a spot on the roster, wherever that may be.
"I'm looking for every opportunity out there, as everyone is," said Coyle. "I just want to be able to, no matter who I'm playing with, play the best that I can. I know I'm better, I want to be better, and that's what the team needs from me. Those are two great guys; you're not gonna complain playing with them. Whoever it is, I'll be ready to go and my game's not gonna change."
Coyle is not yet sure when he might get into a preseason game but remains in constant communication with the medical and coaching staffs as they determine what's best for him in his progression. For now, Coyle is just happy to be back on a level playing field with the rest of his teammates.
"It's training camp, we're all fighting for jobs," said Coyle. "You want to play hard against guys and that's how you get ready for exhibition games and exhibition games get your ready for [real] games. It's all steps. But you want to practice hard and play hard.
"You want guys testing you and pushing and playing the body, playing physical and that helps when you do that in practice because that's how you get ready for games. Once you put on that jersey, you're a full go. It's fair game out there."

Taking A Shot

Trent Frederic is finally getting a traditional training camp under his belt. His first camp in 2018 included a trip across the globe for the NHL's China Games, the following fall the Bruins were coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final which meant less of a preseason grind, and last season the COVID-19 pandemic caused the elimination of exhibition contests altogether.
So, this time around, the 23-year-old, who is entering his fifth professional season, is looking to take advantage of the extended tune-up time. And one of his focus points has been becoming more of a shooter.
"The more you get to know your line mates, the people you play it, they understand how you play," said Frederic, who potted four goals in 42 games last season during his first full NHL campaign. "If you're shooting it more, they can read off that or if you're a passer. My first couple camps, you can see in younger kids if they go with Marchy or somebody, they try to get him the puck. I still try to do it - you get him the puck and good things happen. Sometimes they take him away and you've got to shoot it."

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