The Boston Bruins will be without power forward Milan Lucic against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, but the good news is that it isn’t because he’s injured. Instead, Lucic flew back to Boston for personal reasons, according to CSNNE.com.
Head coach Claude Julien didn’t seem bothered by his departure.
“It’s personal reasons. He’s gone back to Boston. It’s one of those things that happens every once in a while and we’re all human here,” Julien said. “So he’s gone back to Boston.”
Lucic has re-established much of the chemistry he had with David Krejci and Nathan Horton in the 2011 playoffs, when that line was one of the best of the postseason. The 24-year-old forward signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension in September.
His absence opens the door for Jay Pandolfo’s Bruins debut. Pandolfo, 38, patiently practiced with the team on a tryout deal before finally getting a one-year contract on Tuesday.