The Boston Bruins‘ most important defenseman is set to return, as head coach Joe Sacco confirmed that Charlie McAvoy will re-enter the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, per Scott McLaughlin of WEEI Sports Radio.

USA Hockey announced today, January 30, that Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been selected as an assistant captain for Team USA for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. McAvoy was named alternate captain for the Bruins at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Who are some players that could step into Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team if needed? Here’s a selection of forwards, defencemen and goaltenders we’d hope would be considered.

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been selected as the U.S. captain for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will return to the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced, according to Boston Sports Journal's Joe Haggerty.McAvoy missed the previous seven games due to a nagging upper-body injury.

The 4 Nations Face-Off captains and leadership groups for Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. must guide their teams to a win with little margin for error.

On top of welcoming his first child with his wife, Kiley, on Sunday, the Boston Bruins defenseman was named an alternate captain for Team USA for the upcoming NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Matthews, 27, led the NHL with 69 goals last season and won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22, when he scored 106 points in 73 games.

Crosby is a two-time Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP, a two-time Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy winner as the league's top goal-scorer, a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner as top scorer, and a two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP.

Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Sidney Crosby will once again wear the "C" for Team Canada, this time at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

McAvoy (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Thursday, Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal reports.