On Sunday, February 23rd, the Boston Bruins announced a significant update regarding defenseman Hampus Lindholm. During a press conference, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney revealed that Lindholm sustained a fractured patella and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season following surgery.
### Lindholm’s Status
Sweeney provided updates on both Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy:
– **Hampus Lindholm**: “Unfortunately, he is unlikely to return for the rest of the season.”
– **Charlie McAvoy**: “There’s no timeline for his shoulder surgery yet, but he’s doing much, much better.”
The 31-year-old Lindholm has been out of action since November 12th, 2024, when he suffered a lower-body injury during a game against the St. Louis Blues. The injury occurred when he blocked a shot from Justin Faulk, forcing him to leave the game immediately. At the time, then-head coach Jim Montgomery indicated that Lindholm’s recovery would take “weeks.” However, the Bruins had remained tight-lipped about his status until Sunday’s announcement, which confirmed that Lindholm’s fourth season with the team has likely ended prematurely.
### Where Does Boston Go From Here?
This development is a major setback for the Bruins, who are now without their top two defensemen. Currently sitting in 10th place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, the Bruins are just one point out of a wild card spot, but teams ahead of them have games in hand, making their playoff push even more challenging.
To stay competitive, the Bruins will need to adopt a “next man up” mentality. Players like Mason Lohrei, Michael Callahan, and Parker Wotherspoon will have to step up to fill the void left by Lindholm. Additionally, Nikita Zadorov is expected to take on a larger role, including increased ice time and potential power play opportunities, as he did in the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.
If the Bruins’ inconsistent performance continues, Sweeney may consider becoming a seller at the March 7th trade deadline. Key players such as Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau, and Brandon Carlo could become trade candidates if the team fails to secure a playoff spot.
Lindholm’s absence is a significant blow to the Bruins’ postseason aspirations. Without one of their most critical players, the team will need to dig deep and finish the season strong to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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