Boston Bruins Notebook: McAvoy out next two weeks

While the majority of New England is still basking in the glory of the latest double digit 4th Quarter comeback by Tom Brady & Co, the Boston Bruins released some shocking news Monday regarding rookie phenom Charlie McAvoy.

The Boston Bruins announced Monday that defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss the next two weeks after under going treatment on abnormal heart rythym.

Per the Bruins official team website:

"Boston Bruins Team Internist Dr. David Finn has issued the following statement on Charlie McAvoy:Charlie McAvoy underwent a successful procedure today at the Massachusetts General Hospital to treat an abnormal heart rhythm.Following the Bruins game on November 26, 2017, Charlie told team physicians that he experienced heart palpitations during the game. Subsequently he underwent an evaluation, which diagnosed him with a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The type of SVT Charlie has is not considered to be dangerous to his health but can recur at any time and causes significant symptoms.After consultation with team physicians, as well as experts in this type of heart condition, Charlie decided to have the condition treated with a procedure called an ablation. The decision to have the procedure done at this time is due to a high probability of recurrence. During the period from the initial occurrence ‪through Saturday’s game, Charlie was cleared to play by the medical team and was monitored closely.He will be monitored overnight at Mass General and the expected recovery period is two weeks."

Supraventricular Tachycardia is a condition where occasionally the heart beats very fast for a reason other than exercise, high fever or stress. It is considered to be common, and more than 200,000 cases are diagnosed in the US each year. Symptoms include palpitations, and treatment includes some medications which can help slow the heart rate and close medical supervision is suggested.

BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 7: Charlie McAvoy /

As per the press release, the Bruins Medical Staff has been taking care of the latter. With the team on a 16 game point streak, vaulting them up to the second best record in the Eastern Conference, and on top of that the All Star Break coming up and only five games over the next two weeks, the medical staff has decided now is the best time to take a closer look with the hope of preventing this from happening again.

What jumps out to me is that the initial diagnosis happened back in November, and the team has been very quiet about this and McAvoy hasn’t missed a game, so I do not believe this to be a severe matter, but on the other hand, anything to do with the heart has to be taken seriously.

More from Causeway Crowd

McAvoy, 20, is having an outstanding rookie campaign, averaging 22:49 TOI, with 25 points over 45 games (5-20-25) and a plus 18 rating. On top of that, he makes up half of the team’s top defensive pairing, skating on the right side of captain Zdeno Chara.

At the moment the target return date would be Tuesday February 6th at Detroit.

Other Practice Notes

With McAvoy sidelined, the depth of the defense will be tested, and luckily for the Bruins, they have had seven healthy NHL caliber defensemen since the return of Adam McQuaid last week after missing 36 games due to a broken leg.

Brandon Carlo moved up to McAvoy’s spot next to Chara during Monday’s practice. Carlo spent the first few games this season, and all of last year’s regular season as Chara’s partner, so there is quite a bit of familiarity there.

Carlo is coming off one of his best games this season Saturday night in Montreal, he was a plus 3, matching his season high.

Kevan Miller will return to the lineup tomorrow night against New Jersey, after missing all of last week with an illness and then being a healthy scratch Saturday night in Montreal.

Next: Bruins have found Merlot Line 2.0

Monday’s Practice Lines/D Pairs

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen – Riley Nash – David Backes
Tim Schaller – Sean Kuraly – Noel Acciari
Frank Vatrano

Zdeno Chara – Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug – Adam McQuaid
Matt Grzelcyk – Kevan Miller
Paul Postma

Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

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