In a disappointing turn of events for the Boston Bruins, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced Thursday that both defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Mark Kastelic will not return for the remainder of the season.

With the team already eliminated from playoff contention, the Bruins have just three regular-season games left, kicking off with a home matchup against Chicago.

Sacco provided an update, revealing that while both players have made some progress in their recovery—McAvoy from a shoulder injury and Kastelic from an upper body issue—there simply isn’t enough time for them to clear medical evaluations before the end of the season.

In the wake of his injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off on February 17, McAvoy managed to return to practice on March 31 but has remained sidelined since. His season concludes with a career-low 23 points, tallying seven goals and 16 assists over 50 games.

Similarly, Kastelic hasn’t hit the ice since the Bruins' tough 5-1 defeat against Vegas on March 20. His first season with the team wraps up with 14 points, including five goals and nine assists, alongside a hefty 106 penalty minutes across 61 games.

As fans hold their breath, they can only wonder how these absences will impact the Bruins' strategy in the last stretch of the season.