( Photo Credit: Boston Bruins / NHL )

By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter / X @RyanJBosworth

In February, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy sustained an injury in the National Hockey League’s first-ever Four Nations Face-Off tournament. While playing for Team USA against Finland, McAvoy injured the acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his right shoulder. Complications from the injury led to an infection, requiring a four-day hospital stay for the Long Island native.

Widely regarded as Boston’s best defenseman, McAvoy’s absence has been felt throughout the lineup. The 27-year-old posted 7-16-23 numbers through 50 games and has not seen game action since February 8th, when the Bruins faced the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden in Boston. Since then, the B’s have struggled, going 3-10-3. While McAvoy’s absence is just one of several issues plaguing the team, it has certainly been a major factor.

On March 25th, McAvoy returned to practice, joining the team for their game-day skate in Anaheim. However, he wore a red non-contact jersey, signaling he is not yet close to game-ready. With only nine games remaining and the Bruins unlikely to make the playoffs, his return before the end of the 2024-25 season seems doubtful.

Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco addressed the media following the pregame skate in Anaheim, and he didn’t provide a specific timeline for McAvoy’s return to play. Sacco noted that McAvoy is “progressing the way he should be right now. He’s not pushing himself any more than he has to. When he’s available, he’ll be in the lineup. When he’s ready.”

While Sacco didn’t provide a specific timeline for McAvoy’s return, he made it clear that when McAvoy is ready, he’ll be back in the lineup. Whether that happens in a week or on the Opening Night of the 2025-26 season remains to be seen. For both McAvoy and the Bruins, the focus now should be on the bigger picture. Rushing him back for a handful of meaningless games carries more risk than reward, especially with the team’s playoff chances likely gone.

Boston needs to give him time to fully recover and make sure he’s ready to lead the blue line next season. While this year may not have gone as planned, a healthy McAvoy will be a key piece in the Bruins’ efforts to bounce back stronger in 2025-26.