Bruins G.M. has bad news on one injured defenseman uncertain on the other…
BOSTON — Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said it is unlikely Hampus Lindholm will return this season. There’s no timeline for Charlie McAvoy’s return.
Sweeney opened his session with the media on Sunday morning by updating the status of his two top defensemen.
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Lindholm hasn’t played since November 13th when he was hit in the leg with a shot at St. Louis that fractured his kneecap.
He had begun practicing on a limited basis before the break, and Joe Sacco indicated optimism about his seemingly imminent return. But Lindholm hasn’t been fully involved again since the team resumed workouts on Tuesday.
Sweeney put a damper on any hopes of a return.
“Hampus is unlikely to return for the rest of the season,” Sweeney said. “It’s more constructive not to have him push the way he had been pushing and to have him heal a little more naturally.”
Sweeney didn’t update McAvoy’s possible return.
“There’s no timeline,” Sweeney said.
McAvoy was injured in Team USA’s tournament-opening win against Finland. He not only played through the injury against Canada but thrived, drawing praise for his physical presence with key hits on Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.
But McAvoy developed an infection that caused him to be admitted to Mass General Hospital where he was also diagnosed with a “signficant AC joint injury” to his right shoulder.
He was released in time to attend Thursday’s USA-Canada final with his arm in a sling.
Sweeney declined to comment on the nature of the care McAvoy received from Team USA doctors, but didn’t believe further surgery was necessary.