Atlantic Division update: A trio of Bruins defensemen out several months following successful surgeries
The Bruins were eliminated in seven games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. After cleaning out their lockers and doing their season exit interviews with coaches and staff, Bruins have announced half of their defense corps underwent successful surgeries today.
Charlie McAvoy, Mike Rielly and Matt Grzelcyk all underwent surgery for different reasons. McAvoy underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic stabilization procedure and is expected to be out possibly until December. His recovery time is estimated at approximately six months. Matt Grzelcyk underwent a right shoulder open stabilization procedure and will likely be out until November as the recovery time is approximately five months. Finally, Mike Reilly underwent a right ankle tendon repair and removal of bone fragments surgery. He is expected to be ready by training camp as his recovery time is approximately three months.
It will be interesting to see how these surgeries change the Bruins off-season plans and whether or not they choose to fill their defensive voids via free agency, trade or internally. Rielly and Grzelcyk are bottom pairing defensemen and can be more easily replaced, but there is no replacement for McAvoy. To replace him, it will have to be by committee with the rest of the defense corps sharing his heavy minutes with Hampus Lindholm.
