Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney announced Sunday that defenseman Hampus Lindholm will likely miss the rest of the season, while Charlie McAvoy doesn't yet have a clear timeline for a return, according to Conor Ryan of the Boston Globe.
Lindholm appeared in just 17 contests this season before suffering a lower-body injury in November. Sweeney said Sunday that he fractured his patella, which required surgery.
McAvoy hurt his shoulder representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He played a game after sustaining the injury, and the Bruins are reportedly unhappy with the way Team USA took care of their top blue-liner.
Sweeney declined to comment on that situation, per Ryan.
McAvoy's initial timeline was reportedly week-to-week. He and Lindholm make up Boston's No. 1 defensive pair when healthy.
The injuries are a blow to a Bruins team fighting for a playoff spot. Boston sits one point out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference but has played more games than each team it's chasing.
The Bruins haven't missed the postseason since 2015-16, and the battle in the standings could force them to sell off assets with the March 7 trade deadline looming.
