Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm is “unlikely” to return to action this season as he works his way back from knee surgery, general manager Don Sweeney said on Sunday.

Per Sweeney, Lindholm will have another exam next week related to the fractured patella tendon he sustained after blocking a shot from St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in the first period of a game on Nov. 12.

“Again, the healing process has gone long, gone well and he’ll have no setbacks moving forward,” Sweeney said. “That being said, it’s going to take a little more time to heal naturally and we don’t want to put a timeline on when he’ll be back to 100 percent.”

Sweeney also noted that there is no timeline regarding the return of defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who was being treated for an infection and a “significant injury” to his right shoulder sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“We’re happy to report Charlie is doing better,” Sweeney said. “Again, no timeline in regard to his surgery in his shoulder, but doing much better and we’re very grateful, appreciative to Dr. (Peter) Asnis and the medical staff that took care of Charlie.”

McAvoy, 27, missed seven games in January with an upper-body injury and returned to action Jan. 30. He had left shoulder surgery in 2022.

He has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 50 games this season.

McAvoy has totaled 300 points (60 goals, 240 assists) and a plus-144 rating in 504 career games with the Bruins. Boston selected McAvoy with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Lindholm, 31, has seven points (three goals, four assists) and a minus-4 rating in 17 games this season.

An All-Star in 2022-23, Lindholm has 313 points (73 goals, 240 assists) and a plus-147 rating in 762 career games with the Anaheim Ducks (2013-22) and Bruins. The Ducks selected the Swede with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

–Field Level Media