It’s been a long, cold month without Charlie McAvoy patrolling the ice, and Bruins fans have been feeling the void. The star defenseman has been sidelined since Feb. 15 after taking a tough hit to the shoulder during the USA-Canada clash at the 4 Nations Face-Off. What started as an AC joint injury turned into an unexpected hospital stay due to an infection, keeping McAvoy out of action even longer. His last game in a Bruins jersey? Feb. 8. Since then, Boston has been sliding fast, taking L after L, and with their playoff hopes dimming, the team seems to be signaling that a rebuild is on the horizon. But just when fans were starting to lose hope, a flicker of good news finally arrived.

Head coach Joe Sacco had an update that gave Bruins Nation something to smile about. “Well, Charlie’s—if you saw today—he’s out of the red jersey, into a black jersey, which is the next step in his progression,” Sacco shared, hinting that McAvoy is moving in the right direction. The defenseman even got some initial contact work in, though there’s still no set return date. “Obviously, it’s exciting. We had him back on the road trip for a portion of it, and now in practice, he’s in a more competitive environment.” So, while it’s not quite a ‘cue the comeback music’ moment just yet, things are finally moving in the right direction. And now, Charlie McAvoy opens up about the Bruins’ tough stretch as his coach gives the latest update on his comeback journey.

When the press fired a question at Charlie McAvoy about setting an example while battling through rehab, he didn’t shy away. “Obviously, I think it’s important. I think we’re in a spot that we haven’t been in yet,” he admitted. His focus? Grinding every single day, putting in the work to “try and work every single day to put myself in a position to potentially play this year.” He knows the road ahead is uncertain, but he’s not letting that stop him. “What will happen will happen,” he said, fully aware that the outcome is out of his hands—but the effort? That’s all him.

More than just the rehab grind, McAvoy is embracing his role within the team. “To be a part of the group every day, to try and set an example, to try and get closer every day with these guys, to build relationships—that’s what I’m identifying right now as really what I’m trying to accomplish.” Whether it’s in the locker room, at practice, or just being around the squad, he’s making sure his presence is felt. Injured or not, Charlie McAvoy is still in the fight.

The Bruins are in a rough patch—scratch that, they’re in a full-blown storm. Their last game? Cam Talbot shut them down, making 20 saves as the Red Wings skated away with a 2-1 win. And before that? Leo Carlsson went off, netting two goals in a brutal 6-2 Anaheim Ducks victory. The reality? Boston’s drowning in an eight-game losing streak, and this month alone, they’ve dropped 11 of 14. It’s been a tough ride, no sugarcoating it. But with all the chaos—including the shocking trade of captain Brad Marchand—one major question lingers in the air.

Charlie McAvoy is working his way back, grinding through rehab and cheering on the squad, but is there more at play? Could his return be bigger than just a comeback as a star defenseman? With the captaincy up for grabs and leadership desperately needed, is McAvoy setting himself up to step back onto the ice—not just as a playmaker, but as the next captain of the Boston Bruins?

Is Charlie McAvoy the potential player to lead the team?

The Bruins are in the market for a new captain, but they’re not rushing the decision. Nope, they’re taking their time, letting the dust settle before they hand over the ‘C.’ And with Don Sweeney confirming that the call will come later. The hockey world has locked in on two prime contenders—David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. At 27, McAvoy has built himself into the kind of leader you want in the locker room—steady, reliable, and the guy teammates naturally rally around. But there’s one wild card in play—his comeback timeline.

McAvoy’s shoulder injury knocked him out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and with no official return date, the Bruins aren’t exactly pushing him to rush back. But let’s be real—his absence is shifting the leadership balance. If he were out there, battling night after night, this decision might be tougher. But with Pastrnak leading the charge on the ice, his case for captaincy grows stronger.

At 28, he’s been rocking the black and gold for over a decade, making him the longest-serving Bruin on the roster. Add his electric offensive style and larger-than-life personality—much like Marchand before him—and you’ve got a guy who already feels like the heart and soul of the team. As for Pastrnak? He’s not losing sleep over it.

When asked about the possibility of rocking the ‘C,’ he kept it chill, saying, “I don’t think about it, honestly. I got the ‘A’ and I haven’t changed a bit. The role changed a little bit, you lead more.” So while the debate rages on, one thing’s for sure—once McAvoy makes his grand return, this captaincy conversation is about to get a whole lot spicier!