The Boston Bruins have had at least one solid goaltender (or two in last season’s case), two or three solid goal scorers, and a multitude of good defensemen for the last few seasons.

One thing they consistently fail to get right is physicality. Sure, they’ve had Nick Foligno on their roster as their muscular presence on the ice, but he was placed on long-term injured reserve last year, just when they needed him the most near the end of the regular season.

However, with the signing of Milan Lucic, the Big, Bad Bruins’ ways are gradually returning.

It will be difficult to replicate what Boston had when Lucic, Shawn Thornton, Brad Marchand, and Zdeno Chara were all on the same team, but with Lucic back, don’t be surprised if more hits like this one occur.

Lucic is thrilled to be returning to Boston, where he began his career in 2006. So much so that, according to NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin, he reached a theoretical deal with the Bruins general manager to return to Boston barely one minute into free agency.

According to statmuse.com, Lucic will bring a physical presence back to the Bruins lineup, which has relied heavily on Brandon Carlo, Derek Forbort, Trent Frederic, and David Pastrnak to dole out the big hits to the other side (based on who is still around).

After setting a goal-scoring record last season, expect Lucic to ease Pastrnak’s load physically in order to allow Pastrnak to do what he does best: score goals.

Lucic is also a player who is not hesitant to defend his teammates, even if it means getting into a fight. While they had a few players like that in past years, there was no one as constant on the Bruins as Lucic was (despite not playing for them), who has dropped the mitts 88 times in his illustrious 16-year career.

The ways of the Big, Bad Bruins have been gone for a few years, but with Lucic’s comeback, at least some of that mentality has returned.