Buffalo Sabres await NHL ruling as they closely monitor Charlie McAvoy's disciplinary hearing after Game 6 incident

Buffalo Sabres are keeping a close eye on the NHL's upcoming disciplinary hearing involving Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, following a controversial incident during the playoff series. According to reports, McAvoy has been offered an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety after a violent slashing incident on Sabres forward Zach Benson during Game 6 of the first-round playoff matchup.

According to reports, the incident occurred during the third period with the Sabres comfortably leading 4–1 after being tripped by Benson while chasing the puck. McAvoy retaliated by swinging his stick forcefully at the young forward. This resulted in a major penalty and a game misconduct, effectively ending his night.

He has been offered an in-person hearing by the NHL to determine what action will be taken against McAvoy. It will be very interesting to see how many games and how much money will be taken from him, as no one can argue that something has to happen.

Charlie McAvoy’s NHL hearing draws the attention of the Buffalo Sabres following a controversial slash

As Charlie McAvoy prepares to face an NHL disciplinary hearing, the Buffalo Sabres are closely monitoring the developments following a controversial on-ice incident. Following the incident, where McAvoy attacked Sabres forward Zach Benson during Game 6 of the first-round playoff matchup, he was handed a major penalty and game misconduct after delivering the brutal slash on Sabres forward.

In response, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety has scheduled an in-person hearing for McAvoy, a notable step that typically signals the possibility of a significant suspension. With the Bruins already eliminated from the playoffs, disciplinary action is expected to extend into the 2026–27 regular season.


Actually, in the final seconds of the Bruins Game 6 loss, Benson inexplicably decided to slew-foot Bruins captain Charlie McAvoy in the final seconds of the loss, and slew-footing is the dirtiest play in hockey, which refers to a skater taking out the legs of another skater from behind.

In response to it, McAvoy retaliated to the game's dirtiest play with a hefty two-handed slash. But it was McAvoy who served a penalty and received a game misconduct.

Posting about the hearing, the NHL Department of Player Safety posted on their X/Twitter account, "Boston’s Charlie McAvoy has been offered an in-person hearing for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson. Date and time TBD.”

Reports suggest that if they suspend the player, it would be served next season because his team has been eliminated from the playoffs. As of yet, there has not been any official announcement from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, but it will be interesting to see if the league will also investigate or discipline Benson, not just McAvoy, for his role in the incident.

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