Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm ‘unlikely’ to return this season, Don Sweeney says

Boston Bruins’ General Manager Don Sweeney told reporters Sunday that Hampus Lindholm is “unlikely” to return this season, as the defenseman will be having surgery next week related to the fractured patella tendon he suffered last November.

Lindholm hasn’t played since Nov. 12 when the Bruins faced the St. Louis Blues. After blocking a shot from Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, Lindholm went to the locker room and did not return to the game.

The following day, former head coach Jim Montgomery said Lindholm’s recover time was “going to be weeks.”

Sweeney also told reporters Sunday that defenseman Charlie McAvoy is “doing better,” but added that there’s “no timeline” for his expected return.

Lindholm was off to a solid start, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points in 17 games with the Bruins.

Lindholm, taken No. 6 overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2012 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut in the 2013-14 season, he spent parts of nine seasons with the Ducks. He was then traded to the Bruins at the 2022 trade deadline, and has since played parts of four seasons in Boston.

Lindholm is currently in the third year of an eight-year, $52 million contract with a $6.5 million cap hit, one he signed with the team shortly after he was acquired by the team.

Going into Sunday, the Bruins are 27-24-7 with 61 points, sixth in the Atlantic Division and one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators for an Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.

Forward David Pastrnak has 28 goals and 41 assists for 69 points, leading the Bruins in all offensive categories. Team captain Brad Marchand has 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points, a full 24 points behind Pastrnak.