KOBASEW

BOSTON — Boston Bruins assistant captain Glen Murray was back on the ice yesterday for the first time in a week.

He was placed on injury reserve with a nagging groin injury last Monday, and he’s eligible to come off IR today. He participated in the team’s game-day skate at the TD Banknorth Garden yesterday morning and said he felt good. If he feels no ill-effects, he plans to practice for a full hour today at the team’s facility in Wilmington.

"He doesn’t want to go through two games on and three games off," said Bruins coach Dave Lewis, "especially at this time of year. We’re going to err on the side of caution. He’s an experienced guy, a veteran guy, and you can’t question his judgment because he knows his body. When he tells us he’s ready to go, we’ll take his word for it."

Murray said yesterday he feels better and is glad he decided to shut it down a little longer this time around. He missed one game earlier this month, returned the next game before missing the next two. He played the first three games on the recent road trip, but has missed the last four games. Yesterday was the first time he had stepped on the ice since last Monday.

"Obviously, when you’re not playing you want to be out there helping," said Murray. "It’s tough, but it’s part of the game. You just have to be positive and get healthy. Going 4-2 on that road trip was great. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to (a 7-2 loss to Florida on Saturday), but we played really hard. Everyone picked their game up a bit and played great on the road. Everyone knows the importance of these games right now."

There have been rumors that Murray might be part of a trade before today’s 3 p.m. deadline. He pooh-poohed that notion, saying he wants to stay in Boston.

MacDonald joins team

Dressed in his Detroit Red Wings colors, goaltender Joey MacDonald (no relation) joined the Bruins yesterday after the team claimed him off waivers on Saturday. Subsequently, the Bruins assigned Hannu Toivonen to Providence.

"Joey MacDonald is a young guy and he hasn’t played a lot this year," said Lewis. "I saw him in the Red Wing organization quite a bit. He’s excited about being here. He was a little nervous this morning, but he’s ready to go."

In eight games with the Wings this season, the 27-year-old netminder is 1-5-1 with a 3.46 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage. He said yesterday a new start will be refreshing.

"I think it’ll do me some good," he said. "The Red Wings always seem to bring an old guy in (notably Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood), so to get an opportunity here and show them what kind of goalie I am, that’s my role. It’s great to be in an organization like this; it’s unbelievable."

Kobasew practicing

Newcomer Chuck Kobasew was finally on the ice with the Bruins yesterday morning. Along with defenseman Andrew Ference, Kobasew was acquired from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Brad Stuart and forward Wayne Primeau on Feb. 10. Due to a dislocated elbow and visa problems, Kobasew did not arrive in Boston until last week. Because of the injury, he has not been cleared for contact drills, and before he’s able to join the lineup Lewis would like to see him in a full practice.

"It was good to get on the ice with the guys," he said. "I’m looking forward to this. I’m looking to bring a lot of energy, speed, and help the team win games."

Kobasew wore No. 19 in Calgary. He won’t be donning that number in Boston because of a guy named Thornton.

Ice chips

Petr Tenkrat missed his second consecutive game with a sprained ankle.… Bruins center Marc Savard was named the NHL’s Second Star for his nine-point performance (two goals, seven assists) last week. … Bruins captain Zdeno Chara probably accomplished something yesterday morning that no other professional hockey player has ever done in the history of the game. During a shooting drill, he stepped into what should have been an easy one-timer. Instead of catching the puck squarely, he hit the top of it and it went backward over the glass and into the stands. "Hey, did you see that?" he shouted to anyone who would listen. "It went backwards into the stands." … Former NHL and Bruins pugilist Jeff Odgers, who is now working for the Atlanta Thrashers as a radio broadcaster, had a one-on-one conversation with current Bruins tough guy Jeremy Reich yesterday morning.

jmcdonal@projo.com