Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy remains hospitalized and will not play in Thursday's 4-Nations final against Canada. He was not available for the United States 2-1 loss against Sweden on Monday night.
Bruins' McAvoy improving
McAvoy remains hospitalized with a shoulder infection and a significant injury to the AC joint. He may have been injured during the United States 3-1 win against Canada as he laid a check against Connor McDavid of Canada, although it has been unconfirmed. He has been ruled out of the finale and there is no date set for his return to hockey.
McAvoy is a critical piece of the Bruins' success and has been for many seasons. He plays on the top defensive pairing and is the quarterback on the first power play unit. If he is out for an extended period of time once the Bruins get back to NHL action, a move may need to happen to fill that void in position only. He is expected to make a full recovery, however, he will be out for the foreseeable future.
Boston is in sixth place in the Atlantic Division and 11 points out of first. They are also in fourth place in the wild-card race, only two points out of first.
McAvoy's underrated and productive
McAvoy was selected 14th overall by Boston in 2016 and has been a productive defenseman since game one. he plays a physical, yet offensive, style that puts him in a underrated category. This season, he has seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points and 46 penalty minutes in 50 games. For his career, he has 60 goals and 240 assists for 300 points and is a +144 in 504 games.
On Thursday, McAvoy had an irrigation and debridement procedure. He remains under the watch of the doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. While he is improving, it is anyone's guess as to when he will be on the ice again,
Regardless of his return date, the trade deadline is coming up and the Bruins have to decide if they are buyers or sellers. They are still in the playoff hunt but they will need help. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has the difficult task of building this team back into a contender, or rebuilding this team and trading away pieces for future assets. A big second half for the Bruins is needed to make a push at a playoff spot.