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Bruins Make Roster Decision After Charlie McAvoy Development
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- Bruins Make Roster Decision After Charlie McAvoy Development
The Boston Bruins made a pair of roster moves Sunday, but only one carries long-term weight.
Top-pair defenseman Charlie McAvoy was officially placed on injured reserve (IR) after undergoing facial surgery last week.
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McAvoy has not played since taking a slap shot to the face from Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson during a game on Nov. 15. The blueliner left that contest immediately and has missed four straight games.
McAvoy traveled back to Boston with the team that day, and his surgery was reported days later.
Bruins coach Marco Sturm acknowledged on Wednesday that there is no clear timeline for McAvoy's recovery.
The brief update, however, made it clear that McAvoy's condition is serious enough to sideline him for the foreseeable future.
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The designation means McAvoy will be out for at least seven days, though the club has not projected a firm return date.
ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported on Thursday the "best case" is that McAvoy recovers in time for the Winter Olympics in February, where he's expected to serve as a cornerstone of Team USA's blue line.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is tended by a trainer after taking a puck to the mouth.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
McAvoy had played in 19 games this season before suffering his injury, tallying 14 assists. Earlier this year, he was named among the initial six selections for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics.
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The Bruins also activated Elias Lindholm on Sunday. The veteran forward had been sidelined since Oct. 30 with a lower-body injury and made his return in the 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night.
The Bruins face the New York Islanders on Wednesday evening, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET.
Related: Maple Leafs' William Nylander Sends Blunt Message After Canadiens Loss
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
