Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug will miss China trip

Defensemen Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug are among several Boston Bruins players who won't make the trip for the team's exhibition games against the Calgary Flames in China later this month.

Defensemen Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug are among several Boston Bruins players who won't make the trip for the team's exhibition games against the Calgary Flames in China later this month.

Krug is still recovering from a broken ankle sustained in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, while Chara, 41, will sit out the trip to preserve his body.

"Never been (to China)," Chara told reporters at the Bruins' annual charity golf tournament on Tuesday. "Of course it's one of those things that (I) would love to explore one day, but at this point, I'm fine with staying back and focusing on having a good training camp and getting ready for the season."

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy wouldn't say if Krug or Chara are expected to miss the entire preseason.

"If they're not able to play games, it's a long way to go," Cassidy said. "I'm not saying they will or won't be able to play games, but when we made this decision probably a month ago, we weren't sure."

The Bruins are playing the Flames in China as part of the 2018 O.R.G. NHL China Games. The teams will face off in two exhibition games in the country, Sept. 15 in Shenzhen and Sept. 19 in the capital Beijing.

Also not making the trip for the Bruins is center Patrice Bergeron, who had groin surgery in June. Forwards Noel Acciari (offseason sports hernia surgery), Anders Bjork (left shoulder surgery in February) will also stay back as they recover from injuries.

Sean Kuraly and Danton Heinen won't attend after serving ambassadorships to China in July.

The Bruins open the regular season against the defending champion Washington Capitals on Oct. 3.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)