Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy expected to make 2022-23 debut Thursday

McAvoy underwent left shoulder arthroscopic stabilization surgery back in June following an injury suffered in Game 6 of the Bruins’ first-round playoff series with the Carolina Hurricanes in May.

Following Boston’s loss in Game 7 against Carolina, McAvoy went for an MRI and was advised to have surgery. The expectation was that he would miss around six months and that he’d be ready to return to the Bruins in late November or early December.

McAvoy was Boston’s No. 1 defenseman last season and is widely considered one of the top defenders in the league. He led the Bruins with an average of 24:38 played per game in 2021-22 and he was fifth on the team in scoring with 56 points.

So far this season, the Bruins sit at the top of the Eastern Conference with an 11-2-0 record. Hampus Lindholm, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks ahead of last year’s trade deadline, has served as Boston’s top defenseman thus far, averaging 24:13 per game.

The Bruins’ strong start to the season is impressive given the injuries they’ve navigated. Beyond McAvoy, the Bruins were also without winger Brad Marchand and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to start the season as both players underwent surgery in the offseason. Grzelcyk had shoulder surgery and Marchand underwent hip surgery and both players made their season debuts in late October.