Three suspensions laid to NHL stars will affect their clubs heading into the season

Charlie McAvoy and Marco Sturm face an immediate Boston Bruins lineup problem before the new NHL season even gets underway.

McAvoy is one of three notable players carrying suspensions into opening night, joined by Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig.

McAvoy must serve 6 games for slashing Zach Benson during the playoffs. That removes a major piece from Boston's blue line at the exact point when teams want stability coming out of camp.

For Sturm, the assignment is clear: Boston must get through its opening stretch without leaning on McAvoy for heavy minutes, special teams and difficult matchups.

Hellebuyck's situation creates a different problem in Winnipeg. The Jets goaltender has been suspended indefinitely by the club for not reporting to training camp.

"Three NHL players are currently suspended heading into the season, per
@NHL_Rosters

• Charlie McAvoy: 6 games for slashing Zach Benson in the playoffs
• Connor Hellebuyck: Indefinitely suspended by Winnipeg for not reporting to camp
• Ridly Greig: 2 games for roughing Sean Walker in the playoffs"

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That puts Scott Arniel in an unusual spot before puck drop. There's no fixed return date attached to Hellebuyck's absence, leaving Winnipeg with uncertainty in the crease rather than a simple countdown.

Three suspensions create three different problems

Greig's absence is shorter, but Ottawa still loses an established forward for 2 games. His suspension stems from roughing Sean Walker during the playoffs.

The Senators can plan around that timeline. The Jets don't have the same luxury with Hellebuyck, while Boston already knows McAvoy will miss a much larger chunk of the opening schedule.

The clip attached to the report puts McAvoy front and center in his Bruins sweater, a reminder that one of Boston's most recognizable players won't be available when the season starts.

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For all three clubs, these aren't training-camp experiments. They're forced lineup decisions involving players expected to carry meaningful roles once available.

Boston must reshape its blue line, Ottawa needs a temporary answer in its forward group, and Winnipeg has the biggest unknown because its starting goaltender's suspension has no defined endpoint.

Three teams will enter the season already adjusting. And before the first meaningful puck drops, McAvoy, Hellebuyck and Greig have put three coaching staffs under immediate pressure.

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