Charlie McAvoy Takes Elbow to Head, Returns in Game as NHL Declines Discipline for Vilmanis Hit
For a moment on Tuesday night, it looked like the Boston Bruins were staring down another major blow to their blue line. Charlie McAvoy, their top defenseman and one of the league’s premier blueliners, was down on the ice after taking a clear elbow to the head from Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis. The hit came in the first period, and McAvoy needed help getting off the ice - not a sight anyone in Boston wanted to see.
But in a twist that caught just about everyone off guard, McAvoy was back on the ice to start the second period. Not just skating - he was leading the penalty kill.
It was a surprising return, especially given how the hit looked in real time and on replay. That kind of resilience is part of what makes McAvoy such a cornerstone for the Bruins, but it also raises questions about how these hits are being addressed at the league level.
This marks the second time in less than two weeks that the Bruins have dodged what looked like a potentially serious injury to a key defenseman. Earlier, it was Nikita Zadorov who left a game against Montreal after an awkward fall along the boards. He, too, avoided a long-term absence.
As for the hit on McAvoy, there wasn’t much gray area. Vilmanis came in with the elbow up - a textbook “chicken wing” to the head.
It was the kind of contact that’s been under the microscope in recent years as the NHL tries to curb head injuries. The immediate aftermath saw tempers flare.
Jonathan Aspirot went after Vilmanis and was tagged with a roughing penalty. Vilmanis received a minor for an illegal check to the head.
And Marco Sturm, standing up for his teammate, was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Bruins, somehow, ended up on the penalty kill.
Despite the nature of the hit and the reaction it drew, the NHL has decided not to issue any supplemental discipline to Vilmanis. According to a report, the league will not be taking further action.
Vilmanis didn’t return to the game after the hit, officially listed with an upper-body injury. But there’s a strong belief that Panthers head coach Paul Maurice pulled him from the game to avoid any potential retaliation - a move that’s not uncommon in these kinds of situations.
For Boston, the focus now turns to keeping McAvoy healthy and on the ice. He’s the anchor of their defense, and any extended absence would be a massive blow to their playoff push.
But the bigger picture here is the league’s handling - or lack thereof - of hits like this. When a player takes a clear shot to the head and there’s no suspension, it sends a message.
And it’s not one that prioritizes player safety.
These are the kinds of moments that test the NHL’s commitment to protecting its players. McAvoy was lucky this time. But the next guy might not be.