Bruins D Charlie McAvoy reportedly 'ahead of schedule' in recovery

After undergoing an arthroscopic shoulder procedure in early June, Boston Bruins All-Star defenseman Charlie McAvoy is ahead of schedule in his recovery, writes The Boston Globe’s Matt Porter.

Originally set to return around the first of December, it’s now seeming the Bruins could reach full health sooner rather than later. McAvoy was cleared for contact Monday for the first time this season, taking full practice with the team.

Head coach Jim Montgomery cautions that McAvoy’s return isn’t imminent, however, and he won’t be returning a month earlier than anticipated like his fellow All-Star, Brad Marchand. Montgomery said he remains hopeful McAvoy’s return will come before the Thanksgiving break, but also confirmed he won’t play on this week’s three-game road trip.

The Bruins will likely take their time re-acclimating McAvoy to the lineup. As he missed all of training camp and the preseason, the 24-year-old still needs to adapt to Montgomery’s new system, which has the team chugging along with an 8-1-0 record to begin the year.

While Hampus Lindholm has been spectacular in McAvoy’s absence, the Bruins still remain without a top-10 defenseman in the league in their lineup. Coming off a career-high 56 points last season, McAvoy is poised to take another step forward this season, adding a terrifying element to a Bruins team that’s already exceeding expectations in their “Last Dance”-esque season.