A return to Notre Dame not likely in the cards for Anders Bjork at Winter Classic

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - If there ever was a player more in line for a call-up within the Bruins organization, it would have to be Anders Bjork, right?

...right?

While he’s worked on his craft down in the AHL ranks for over a month, the speedy winger seemed to be on the cusp of a return to the Bruins — especially in wake of another absence up front for Boston. 

Aside from his production down in Providence (10 points in 12 games), Bjork had plenty to play for if he earned a spot back on Boston’s roster — especially if it was in time for Tuesday’s Winter Classic matchup against the Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium.

After all, the winger spent three seasons with the Fighting Irish, posting 109 points over 115 games in South Bend while earning the nod as a Hobey Baker finalist in his junior campaign.

The narrative just writes itself.

But so far, the Bruins have yet to budge on recalling the 22-year-old skater. And it doesn’t look like it’s changing any time soon.

Down yet another skater for the Winter Classic due to David Backes’ three-game suspension, Boston kept its lineup in-house for Sunday’s skate at Compton Family Ice Arena on Notre Dame’s campus.

Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson served as the extra forward among the bunch, while the bottom six was comprised of pivots Sean Kuraly and Colby Cave — along with wingers in Danton Heinen, Joakim Nordstrom, Chris Wager  and Noel Acciari.

While Bruce Cassidy has praised Bjork’s improved play away from the puck — a stint down in Providence was a necessity for the winger after only tallying three points (one goal, two assists) over 20 games with the B’s this year.

And while Bjork has largely maintained a point-per-game pace since playing with the Baby B’s, some numbers can be a bit deceiving. Of his nine assists, eight of them have been secondary helpers — while only one of his 33 shots on goal have managed to light the lamp.

Still, one would think that the approaching Winter Classic would be a prime avenue for Bruce Cassidy and his staff to take in an effort to motivate Bjork.

Well, not exactly.



“No. Never referenced this game,” Cassidy said. “I think that’s too much pressure. We all know the deal with Anders. He was a terrific player for Notre Dame, but our roster is what is it. So if he comes in, what about the guys that have helped get us here? Let’s say, Colby Cave — who’s toiled and fought his way up.

"It’s hard to give to one and take from another. And there’s still time, I guess. We need to feel he’s one of the best 20 guys we can put on the ice, then we'll make that decision. It’s not looking that way right now. He’s doing well in Providence down there. But we’ve kind of settled on our lineup here with what we have. That’s kind of where I’m at.

“No, any conversations with Anders were always about how to make him a better player, to respect the American Hockey League when you’re down there and work at it every day, because a lot of players go through what he’s going through. Hopefully it works out for the best for him. I believe it will. He’s a good kid. He works hard, but time will tell.”

Barring any last-minute switches, it would appear that Boston will opt for what it already has on its roster in an effort to spark a still-topheavy offense that labors at generating quality scoring chances during 5v5 play.

While his scoring left plenty to be desired and his 5v5 Corsi-For Percentage ranks second to last among Bruins players with at least 10 games played (47.99), the forward hasn’t looked out of place at times when slotted into top-six roles.

For as dynamic as the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak trio has been (58.64 5v5 CF% since the start of the 2017-18 season), a line with Bjork skating in place of Pastrnak has looked pretty damn effective — generating a 59.56 CF% during close to 60 minutes of 5v5 TOI.

There’s no doubting the tangible speed and skill that Bjork possesses in his game, especially when operating in the O zone. But the message seems clear — Boston still believes Bjork has plenty to work on, narrative or not.

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While Bjork will likely not be on the ice at Notre Dame Stadium on Tuesday, a couple more regulars could be back in the fold for the B’s — headlined by Brad Marchand.

Marchand, who missed Saturday’s win over the Sabres due to an upper-body injury, returned to practice on Sunday — skating in his usual spot on Boston’s top line with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

“I won’t tell you he’s definitely in,” Cassidy said. “But I would say he’s most likely to play. He had a good day today in practice. So one more tomorrow and he’ll be good to go. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But that’s how it’s trending.”

Even though Marchand seems likely to return on Tuesday, the picture is a bit murkier when it comes to Charlie McAvoy, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and is currently on IR. The young defenseman did not practice once again on Sunday.

“Charlie did not skate today. So he’s become questionable for the game,” Cassidy said. “I won’t rule him out for tomorrow yet in practice. But clearly, if he doesn’t practice tomorrow, then it doesn’t look good.”