Bruins' Charlie McAvoy Addresses Potential NHL Suspension for Slashing Sabres' Zach Benson

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy knows he may be facing a suspension for his slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson during Friday's Game 6 of their first-round series, but he did not want to speculate heading into the offseason.

"Just out of respect for the process, I'm probably not gonna comment anything on it until I can have the chance to speak with them," he told reporters Sunday.

He is scheduled to receive an in-person hearing with NHL Player Safety for the slash, which means he could be facing a suspension of more than five games to start the 2026-27 campaign.

After all, McAvoy will not take the ice again for a game until next season after the Bruins were eliminated with Friday's 4-1 loss. They had some momentum after winning on the road in Game 5 but were unable to carry it over and force a decisive Game 7.

It appeared as if frustration took over for McAvoy in the final minutes of Friday's loss, as he immediately got up from crashing into the boards on a Benson trip and retaliated by hitting his opponent with his stick with a two-handed grip:

"I won't play another game until September, so I can't imagine it really matters much," McAvoy initially told reporters before addressing it again Sunday.

It should be noted Sabres coach Lindy Ruff did not appear to hold a grudge against the Boston defenseman.

"I'm just going to say [it was] raw emotion," he said. "Charlie's a hell of a player. Cares about winning. Anybody would want Charlie on his team. Probably went a little too far though."

It capped off a series to forget for McAvoy, who managed two assists and a plus-minus mark of minus-six in the six games. It was a far cry from his regular season, which he finished with 61 points and a plus-13 mark in 69 games.

As for the Sabres, they will face the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.