(Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy could be facing a lengthy suspension to start the 2026-27 season after the NHL announced Saturday it has offered an in-person hearing with its Department of Player Safety to the 28-year-old.

The date of the hearing is still to be determined. Any discipline would be served next season due to Boston's season being over.

McAvoy received a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct in Boston's 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round. That setback on Friday eliminated the Bruins from the postseason.

The incident with 1:31 left in the third period occurred after Buffalo's Zach Benson tripped McAvoy as the two chased after a loose puck. McAvoy got up and charged toward Benson and swung his stick like a baseball bat at Benson.

After the game, McAvoy wasn't concerned about a possible suspension.

'I don't play another game until September,' McAvoy said. 'Can't imagine it really matters much.'

If a suspension might be six games or longer, the NHL offers the player an in-person meeting. The player can decline the in-person methods and conduct it by phone. Suspension of five games or less are typically handled via phone.

McAvoy scored a career-high 61 points and had 11 goals in 69 games this season. He had two assists in the series against Buffalo.

Overall, McAvoy has 71 goals and 361 points in 573 games over nine seasons with the Bruins. He has six goals and 50 points in 97 career playoff games.

McAvoy was a member of Team USA as it won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics earlier this year. It was the USA's first men's Olympic gold since the historic performance at Lake Placid in 1980.

--Field Level Media