Charlie McAvoy took the sheet at Warrior Ice Arena on Monday as a full practice participant, shedding the red non-contact jersey that he’d been wearing when he returned to practice on the just completed road trip.
When and — perhaps more importantly – if he returns to the lineup in the final eight games of this lost Bruins’ season remains to be seen.
McAvoy has not played hockey since playing in Team USA’s win over Canada in the Four Nations Faceoff on February 15 in Montreal. He’d suffered a shoulder injury in the previous game and, after the Canada game, he developed an infection. He’s been on the shelf since then.
There would be good reasons to keep him on the shelf for the rest of the season. First off, the B’s playoff race is essentially over and there’s little tangible reason to risk further injury. Secondly, the long-term health of the organization would best be served by the current team turning in hard-working efforts like the one they gave in Detroit on Saturday but then, in the end, to continue losing in order to secure the highest draft choice possible. A McAvoy return could hurt that end goal.
Interim coach Joe Sacco said that while McAvoy took the next step toward a return, there is still no timetable for a return.
McAvoy himself said he and the medical staff are taking it on a “one day at a time” basis. He said he’s still working on strengthening the shoulder while also dealing with some pain management.
But while bringing him back to play in a game this season would be questionable, there is value for to him to be with the team and working, especially with the roster in flux.
“Obviously I think it’s important,” said McAvoy. “We’re in a spot that we haven’t been in yet. What I’m trying to do right now is rehab the best I can every single day to potentially play this year. What will happen will happen, but to be a part of the group every day, to set an example, to try and get closer every day with these guys, to build relationships, that’s what I’m identifying right now as what I’m trying to accomplish.”
While recognizing the situation the team is in, interim coach Joe Sacco still did not rule out McAvoy playing this season.
“If he’s ready and he’s cleared to play, like any player, they want to get back in there…so you might feel good about yourself getting a couple of games under your belt before the season ends. But we’ll just take it one step at a time,” said Sacco.
Whether he dons a uniform in the waning days of this season or not, Sacco appreciates the effort that’s being put forth.
“He’s one of our leaders and he’s obviously trying to get back out there toward the end of the season and he’s not just saying ‘I’m done for the year.’ So we’ll see where it goes,” said Sacco.
In some ways, McAvoy is an awkward spot. He had already been wearing a letter as an alternate captain, but the leadership responsibilities on his plate grew with the trading of captain Brad Marchand. But there’s only so much leading a player can do when he’s not on Garden ice at 7:08 p.m., ready for battle.
“I think it’s hard. There’s a full picture to that (leadership). You’re really only getting to do about half of that,” said McAvoy. “You’re not playing and you’re not in the fight. These guys are going through it and you’re on the sidelines for it, which isn’t fun. You want to try and lead but you can’t do that really in the position that I’m in. But what I’m trying to do, like I said, is work hard every day and set an example, try and build a rapport with the new guys and try and keep a positive mindset of what’s in front of us and finish the year as best we can.”
David Pastrnak, the only player who is currently wearing a letter, feels for McAvoy.
“Obviously it’s tough for every player to be out and I know with Charlie, one of the leaders in this group, it’s extremely tough for him. We can sense how much he wants to help and be out there and help our team to win,” said Pastrnak. “It’s hurts, the same with Hampus (Lindholm, out since November 12). He’s having a tough year, too… Missing those two guys on the back end it obviously shows every game and they’re a big part of our group. We miss them. They try to stay positive, so we (do the same) with them. It’s never fun. Unfortunately, injuries are part of hockey but we’d definitely like to have them on the ice.”…
There aren’t many treats left in store for Bruins fans this year, but they are expected to see Ryan Leonard’s make his pro debut on Tuesday. The Boston College star, with the Eagles bounced out of the NCAA tournament on Sunday by Denver, signed his three-year entry level contract on Monday with the Washington Capitals, who chose him in last June’s draft with the eighth overall pick.
Meanwhile, unless something goes really wrong for the Bruins on Tuesday, we won’t see Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. After scoring his 890th on Sunday against Buffalo, Ovechkin stands five short of break Gretzky’s mark.
The 39-year-old Ovechkin has 37 goals in 57 games this year.
“It’s very impressive,” said Pastrnak. “We all know how hard it is to score in this league and he’s been doing it for decades. The way he found a way every year to score different goals. You obviously see way less one-timer goals from him and guys taking it away and he still finds a way, so it’s impressive. It’s motivational to see him keep scoring all those goals. He’s a special goalscorer and he’s going to break it soon.”…
While there has been no official word from the B’s or their Providence affiliate, a report out of Latvia said that UMass forward Dans Locmelis, who the Bruins drafted in the fourth round in 2022, will turn pro and finish the season in the AHL. The 21-year-old forward had 8-25-33 totals in 40 games for the Minutemen this year….
The B’s called up Jeffrey Viel on an emergency basis….
Mark Kastelic will miss his fifth straight game on Tuesday with an upper body injury, though he did skate before practice. Sacco said there’s no timeline for a return….
Vinni Lettieri and Patrick Brown, both of whom practiced on Monday, cleared waivers.