Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy near return after facial fracture: A detailed recovery timeline

Boston Bruins fans have waited anxiously since November 15, when a slap shot to the face sent star defenseman Charlie McAvoy to the hospital and subsequently to the operating room. The incident, which occurred during a game against the Montreal Canadiens, left McAvoy with a linear jaw fracture that required immediate surgery and has kept him off the ice for nearly a month. However, recent developments suggest the Norris Trophy candidate is turning a corner in his rehabilitation, with the veteran blueliner now practicing in a non-contact jersey and targeting a return before the new year.

The road back has been anything but straightforward. McAvoy has lost nearly 20 pounds subsisting on a liquid diet of soups, smoothies, and milkshakes, while his teammates have struggled to maintain their early-season momentum without their most important defenseman. As Boston battles for position atop the Atlantic Division, the potential return of their 26-year-old workhorse couldn’t come at a more critical time.

The injury and immediate aftermath

Charlie McAvoy knew immediately that something was severely wrong. When Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson’s slap shot struck him directly in the jaw during that fateful November matchup, the impact knocked McAvoy backward onto the ice. In his first public comments since the injury, McAvoy recalled the moment with stark clarity.

“I knew we were in trouble there,” McAvoy admitted during a press availability at Warrior Ice Arena. “I’d never taken one before, but you don’t take a slapshot to the jaw – I knew right away I was in some trouble.”

The damage was extensive. Medical evaluation revealed a linear fracture of the jaw with displacement, requiring surgical intervention to properly realign the bone structure. The procedure took place days after the initial injury, and doctors installed hardware to stabilize the fracture. McAvoy also lost multiple bottom teeth in the incident, adding dental trauma to his list of concerns.

The Bruins immediately placed their top defenseman on injured reserve, where he remains until at least December 14. The team has been cautious with updates, emphasizing that McAvoy’s long-term health takes precedence over any short-term roster needs. Coach Marco Sturm has been particularly protective of his star player’s recovery timeline, refusing to speculate on specific return dates until medical clearance is official.

Recovery challenges beyond the ice

While many fans focus on the physical aspects of returning to game action, McAvoy’s most significant battle has been fought at the dinner table. The post-surgical protocol requires six weeks of no solid foods, forcing the 211-pound defenseman onto a strict liquid diet that has dramatically altered his physique and energy levels.

“I lost close to 20 pounds in the first week and a half there,” McAvoy revealed. “It’s a shock to your body. I’m trying to get it back now while getting out there and doing more than I’ve done in a while and trying to get energy highs. We’re trying to play catch-up a little bit.”

His daily nutrition now consists of:

• Protein-rich smoothies and milkshakes
• Various blended soups
• Ice cream for calories
• Attempted (and quickly abandoned) experiments with blended chicken and vegetables

McAvoy described the blended chicken attempt as “a non-starter” and “terrible,” noting that some foods simply aren’t meant to be consumed in pureed form. The challenge isn’t just maintaining weight, but ensuring he has enough energy to withstand NHL-caliber practices and eventually, games.

The mental toll has been equally demanding. This marks McAvoy’s second significant injury in less than a year, following an acromioclavicular joint separation in his right shoulder during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February that led to a staph infection and cost him the remainder of the regular season.

“It’s a lot,” McAvoy acknowledged when asked about the psychological burden. “My family, the guys, the support of the staff and everybody, from the top down is in our corner and my corner. That just means the world.”

Timeline for return and medical clearance

Despite the challenges, McAvoy is methodically working through the necessary steps for medical clearance. The defenseman returned to practice ice earlier this week, initially skating on his own before joining teammates in non-contact drills while wearing a full face shield.

“There are steps that we need to cross,” McAvoy explained. “Obviously, getting weight on, getting energy, feeling good is the biggest thing. You’t want to be out there and feel like you’re going to pass out. There’s that, there’s getting cleared by the doctor. There’s X-rays, there are certain checkmarks that we have to get by before we can get back in a game.”

Doctors have established a six-week healing timeline from the date of surgery, which would suggest a mid-to-late December return at the earliest. However, McAvoy is quick to emphasize that bone healing is just one component of his overall readiness.

The unusual nature of a jaw injury presents unique complications. McAvoy described constant vibrations and odd sensations when speaking, leaning down, or even absorbing routine physical contact during drills. “It’s weird, it vibrates a lot, like when you lean down on shots and stuff, you feel it,” he said, calling it one of the strangest injuries he’s experienced.

Coach Sturm has been particularly cautious about tempering expectations. While acknowledging McAvoy’s rapid progress, he’s emphasized that the team won’t rush the process.

“He looks like a skinny guy out there,” Sturm observed with a smile. “Maybe it’s because of his mask. That’s why we have to be patient with him. We do not want to rush him to come back. We just want to make sure he’s 100 percent mentally, physically. His weight has got to be at the right spot. Otherwise, it would not be fair to him.”

Bruins defensive structure without their anchor

The Bruins’ record without McAvoy tells a clear story of his irreplaceable value. Boston has gone 5-5-0 during his 10-game absence, a significant drop-off for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. More telling is the workload redistribution across the remaining defense corps.

With McAvoy sidelined, Hampus Lindholm has been forced into even heavier minutes, often exceeding 25 minutes per night while facing top competition. The ripple effects extend throughout the lineup, with second and third-pairing defensemen asked to play above their usual roles and special teams units requiring complete reconfiguration. The impact of McAvoy’s absence on Lindholm’s workload has been substantial, creating a cascading effect across Boston’s entire defensive structure that coaches have struggled to manage effectively.

The absence of their defensive leader has been felt beyond just ice time distribution. McAvoy’s presence as a top-pairing defenseman who can play in all situations – power play, penalty kill, late-game scenarios – creates matchup advantages that coach Sturm simply cannot replicate with the current roster. His ability to break the puck out cleanly and neutralize opponents’ top lines has been sorely missed during this stretch.

Team captain Brad Marchand and other veterans have shouldered additional leadership responsibilities, but there’s no substitute for having your best defenseman available. The Bruins have managed to stay competitive, entering a recent weekend tied with Tampa Bay for first in the Atlantic Division at 17-13-0, but the margin for error has been noticeably smaller.

What McAvoy’s return means for Boston’s playoff push

When McAvoy does receive full medical clearance and returns to the lineup, the implications for Boston’s championship aspirations are profound. Through 19 games this season, the Minnesota native had recorded 14 assists and was averaging a team-high 23:46 of ice time per game, establishing himself as one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen.

His return would immediately restore Boston’s top defensive pairing and allow coach Sturm to rebalance the entire blue line. Lindholm could return to a more manageable workload, while younger defensemen would be freed from top-pairing responsibilities they’re not yet ready to handle consistently. The Bruins’ special teams, currently middle-of-the-pack in both power play and penalty kill efficiency, would gain their most versatile weapon.

Perhaps most importantly, McAvoy’s comeback would provide a massive psychological boost to a locker room that has watched him endure two major injuries in nine months. His resilience and determination through this recovery process have already inspired teammates, but seeing him back in his familiar No. 73 jersey would elevate the entire group’s confidence.

The timing could prove particularly fortuitous. With the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina scheduled for February 2026, McAvoy’s recovery and return to form will be closely monitored by USA Hockey officials. The defenseman was recently named to the United States’ preliminary roster, and a strong return could cement his place on the Olympic team.

Boston’s upcoming schedule features several key divisional matchups that will help determine playoff seeding. Having McAvoy available for those games would significantly improve the Bruins’ chances of securing home-ice advantage in the first round and positioning themselves for a deep playoff run.

Boston’s championship window remains open, but it’s dependent on having their best players healthy when it matters most. McAvoy’s impending return signals that the Bruins may soon be back to full strength just as the postseason race intensifies.

The journey from a fractured jaw on the Bell Centre ice to a potential return to NHL action represents yet another test of McAvoy’s physical and mental fortitude. If his recent practice sessions are any indication, the defenseman is approaching this challenge with the same determination that has made him one of the league’s elite blueliners. For Bruins fans and teammates alike, that familiar sight of McAvoy quarterbacking the power play and shutting down opposing stars can’t come soon enough.