Montgomery added that the club is hopeful that McAvoy can return before Thanksgiving but is staying patient with the blue liner, who underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic stabilization procedure on June 3.
"He's ahead of schedule, he's ahead of December 1st, but he's just starting in his progression," said Montgomery. "We have our internal timeline, we're hopeful that it will be before November 24, to be honest. But he has to check boxes as we continue to progress here and he's just starting that now. Today was the first day where he had a little bit of contact, but everybody kind of knew that it was cautionary around him."
While McAvoy will not be suiting up for any games during Boston's first extended road trip of the season, he will travel with the club for the week-long voyage in an effort to take part in as many team practices as he can.
"Yeah! Let's hit the road! Let's do it. I'm excited," McAvoy said with a beaming smile. "I obviously won't be playing on this trip, but just to be out there and to keep getting practices and pregame skates to be with guys. I think we're at that point where it's more important for me to be on the ice with the guys than it is to just be here by myself. So, I get to see the family back in New York which is cool, good timing and all good things."
McAvoy said while it has been difficult to be isolated away from the team to this point in the season, he has appreciated all the support and well-wishes he has received from his teammates.
"You do feel isolated from the group," said McAvoy. "Our group is very special, though, so guys are always checking up on you, asking you how you're doing, which to me means a lot. Everybody is conscious of what I'm going through and what they are going through… we're on different wavelengths a little bit, so to feel that support from them and to hear their cheers as you're going through this process. It's encouraging and it allows you to come back even faster."
Boston's ace back liner has also been encouraged by his team's historic 8-1-0 start to the season.
"The depth has been crazy," said McAvoy. "You're getting production from everybody and that's just so big, obviously, for the whole group, but for the individual on that basis to feel that validation when you are producing and it's in winning efforts - and just the culture we have, everyone is so supportive of one another so you're seeing guys with big smiles and everybody is having a good time. It's really the ideal start you can have."
McAvoy acknowledged that the success of the team over the first month "sort of removes a little bit of pressure" to rush back into the lineup.
"I mean, you try not to feel that anyway because your timeline is your timeline," he said. "But to see the guys playing so well, it allows you to kind of put the head on the pillow and realize that we're going to be fine, we're in a good spot."
