NHL Buzz: McAvoy skates in regular jersey for Bruins

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Boston Bruins

Charlie McAvoy practiced in a regular jersey Monday, although there is still no timeline for the defenseman's return.

McAvoy, who has not played since the 4 Nations Face-Off, sustained an injury to his right shoulder while playing for the United States against Finland on Feb. 13. He played with the team against Canada on Feb. 15 before being admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital with pain in his shoulder. He was diagnosed with an infection and a significant injury to his AC joint.

"We're going one day at a time, I think that's how I'm approaching it and how our staff is as well, just doing every day what we can to try and improve my shoulder," McAvoy said.

When asked if it was more about pain or building strength, McAvoy said, "Both."

McAvoy, who joined the Bruins for a portion of their recent road trip, has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 50 games this season.

"He's out of the red (noncontact) jersey, he was into a black jersey, which is the next step in his progression," Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco said. "Today (he) was able to start some initial contact with the group. We still have no timeline on his return yet."

Asked if he would return to play with Boston (30-35-9) unlikely to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sacco said, "I think if he's ready and he's cleared to play, like any player, they want to get back in there." -- Amalie Benjamin

Vegas Golden Knights

Tomas Hertl will not return this week, Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said Monday.

The forward has not played since sustaining an upper-body injury in a 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March. 23.

"Hertl won't be available this week; that's all I know," Cassidy said after practice. "We'll do our best to update you after that."

Hertl is tied for the Golden Knights lead with 31 goals and is third with 59 points in 70 games this season. He has eight goals in his past 10 games.

Vegas hosts the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, SN1, TVAS).

Alex Pietrangelo is nearing a return from a lower-body injury; the defenseman was a late scratch for a 5-1 win against the Minnesota Wild on March 25 and did not play during the Golden Knights' three-game road trip.

"'Petro' was out with the group today, will not play tomorrow," Cassidy said. "I don't believe he will play tomorrow but he's in a regular jersey, so he's close."

Goalie Ilya Samsonov is day to day with a lower-body injury. He was a late scratch prior to a 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

New York Rangers

Gabe Perreault signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers on Monday.

The 19-year-old forward was chosen by New York in the first round (No. 23) of the 2023 NHL Draft recently completed his sophomore season at Boston College with 48 points (16 goals, 32 assists) in 37 games and was named a Hockey East First Team All-Star.

Perreault, who will report to the Rangers, is expected to play in the NHL this season, although it is unclear if he will be in the lineup for their next game against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNNO, MSGSN).

He also won consecutive gold medals for the United States at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Perreault's father, Yanic Perreault, had 516 points (247 goals, 269 assists) in 859 regular-season games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado Avalanche

Taylor Makar, the brother of Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, signed a one-year, entry-level contract Monday.

The 24-year-old forward finished the 2024-25 NCAA season tied for first in goals (18) and second in points (30) in 38 games with the University of Maine.

He also led the team with six game-winning goals.

Maine was eliminated from the NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Tournament in a 5-1 loss to Penn State on Friday.

Makar had 52 points (33 goals, 19 assists) in 123 college hockey games, including 22 points (15 goals, seven assists) in 85 games with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he played from 2021-24 before transferring to Maine.

Makar was selected by Colorado in the seventh round (No. 220) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He will play the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout contract with Colorado of the American Hockey League. -- Ryan Boulding