Bruins’ McAvoy to have hearing on May 11 after slashing Sabres’ Benson
While his teammates disperse to golf courses and summer homes, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will have to fit a trip to New York City into his early offseason plans.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Monday that McAvoy has been scheduled to have an in-person hearing for his slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson. The hearing will take place on Monday, May 11th at the NHL’s office in New York.
Boston’s Charlie McAvoy will have an in-person hearing on Monday, May 11th at the NHL’s office in New York City for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson.
Boston’s Charlie McAvoy has been offered an in-person hearing for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson. Date and time TBD.
The incident in question occured during the Bruins’ 4-1 Game 6 loss to the Sabres on May 1st that knocked Boston out of the playoffs. With roughly a minute and a half left in the game, and Boston already down 4-1, McAvoy got tripped by Benson during a race to beat out an icing call. McAvoy, who likely felt he was intentionally slew-footed by Benson, got up after crashing into the end boards, skated over to Benson, and delivered a wicked two-handed slash to his right forearm.
Charlie McAvoy was not happy with Zach Benson 🎥: ESPN
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig was suspended for the first two games of the 2026-27 regular season for a similarly suspendable act during a game in which his team was eliminated. McAvoy may face a comparable level of discipline, though his history of suspensions could factor into the Department of Player Safety’s decision.
McAvoy, 28, was suspended for four games in 2023 for a check to the head of then-Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He was also suspended one game in the 2019 playoffs for a check to the head of then-Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson.
The Long Beach, New York native, who was selected 14th overall by the Bruins in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, had a career year with 11 goals and 50 assists for 61 points in 69 games this season. He put up no goals and two assists in Boston’s six postseason games.