McAvoy out 2 weeks
Undergoes heart procedure
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
Charlie McAvoy, one of the NHL’s best rookie defensemen, will be out at least two weeks following a procedure for an abnormal heart rhythm yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital.
McAvoy was monitored overnight and likely will watch from the ninth floor of the Garden tonight when the Bruins face the New Jersey Devils.
McAvoy had concerns about heart palpitations he experienced during a game in late November. The Bruins medical staff felt the procedure was the proper course of action.
“Subsequently, he underwent an evaluation which diagnosed him with a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT),” team physician David Finn said in a statement. “The type of SVT Charlie has is not to be considered dangerous to his health, but it may occur at any time and cause significant symptoms.”
The procedure was called an ablation and is recommended “due to a high probability of recurrence,” Finn said.
The normal recovery time is two weeks. The Bruins are fortunate that four of McAvoy’s recovery days will coincide with the NHL All-Star break.
McAvoy sees most of his action paired with captain Zdeno Chara and is routinely matched against the opponent’s top line. He is averaging 22:48 of ice time, the most among NHL rookies. McAvoy is sixth on the team in scoring with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) and has a plus-18 rating.
Blue-line shuffle
The recent return of defenseman Adam McQuaid to the Bruins roster will help ease the blow of losing McAvoy.
McQuaid replaced Kevan Miller, who’s missed the past three games because of an illness, though he was healthy enough to play Saturday against Montreal but was scratched. McQuaid had not played since fracturing his right fibula against Vancouver on Oct. 19. McQuaid returned after missing 36 games in the Bruins’ 4-1 victory against the Canadiens on Wednesday at the Garden.
“We made the decision to keep (Miller) out the other night for continuity. I thought Adam deserved to stay in, and we wanted Brandon (Carlo) to keep playing,” coach Bruce Cassidy said.
The B’s still have seven healthy blueliners, even without McAvoy. Chara skated with Carlo in yesterday’s practice. Carlo normally is paired with Torey Krug, while Miller has skated primarily with rookie Matt Grzelcyk. Paul Postma is the team’s other defenseman.
Cassidy likely will reunite Miller and Grzelcyk and pair Krug with McQuaid. Krug is an active puck-mover while McQuaid is a rugged, stayat-home defenseman who protects the crease.
Savard retires
Former Bruins center Marc Savard, whose career was cut short by concussions in 2010 and 2011, officially retired from the NHL after seven years away from the game.
“My health is the best it’s been in a very long time,” Savard said on Twitter.
Savard never fully recovered from a savage head shot delivered by Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke on March 7, 2010, that left him unconscious on the ice.
He suffered another concussion Jan. 28, 2011, when he was slammed into the boards by Colorado’s Matt Hunwick, a former teammate.
“I believe I can make a positive impact in this world,” Savard said. “I love hockey, and I will forever have a passion for this game. I look forward to the chances I may have to give back to the game that has given to much to me.”
Savard played in 807 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers and Bruins and recorded 706 points. He had 22 points in 25 playoffs games.