Bruins Place 2 Key Players on IR

The Boston Bruins learned today that they'll be without two top players for a bit longer, as they've been forced to place both Charlie McAvoy and Pavel Zacha on Injured Reserve.

Pavel Zacha and Charlie McAvoy placed on injured reserve with their upper body injuries. Patrick Brown and Parker Wotherspoon called up from Providence as Boston's organizational depth is getting tested

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 14, 2023

McAvoy has already been out seven days, so no need to panic just yet for Bruins fans, as his placement on IR is backdated a week. But the move indicates that he will likely not be ready to return for the Bruins for their next game on Saturday night. McAvoy left last Thursday’s 3-1 loss against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period after taking this elbow to the head area.

The reverse hit elbow from JJ Peterka on Charlie McAvoy that knocked him out of last nights game with an upper body injury. At the very least should have been a penalty on the ice pic.twitter.com/C28GBanZ4J

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 8, 2023

No penalty was called on the play. 

McAvoy has been logging over 24 minutes a game this season, and has registered three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 21 games tops among Boston blueliners.

As for Zacha, he left Saturday’s 5-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes with an upper-body injury. He has eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 26 games this season after a career-high 57 points in 2022-23. 

The Bruins have recalled forward Patrick Brown and defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from Providence to fill out the roster. 

Photo: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports