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Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy Signing Could Be Delayed

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Charles McAvoy poses for a photo after being selected as the number fourteen overall draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Charles McAvoy poses for a photo after being selected as the number fourteen overall draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy Signing Could Be Delayed According to Bob McKenzie

At this point in the year, NHL teams are contacting some of their prospects in college and offering them NHL contracts. Some stars have already inked contracts with their NHL clubs and have immediately been involved in teams plans. The Vancouver Canucks signed Brock Boeser, who played the same day and scored his first NHL goal while skating alongside the Sedin twins. Boston University star Clayton Keller just signed with the Arizona Coyotes and could make his NHL debut Monday. For another BU Terrier in Charlie McAvoy and the Boston Bruins, however, the signing could be delayed.

According to TSN Insider Bob McKenzie, McAvoy has exams this week. McKenzie notes that it could affect the timing of the signing, though it likely won’t be an issue. The Bruins prospect is one of three players that fans in Boston are watching closely right now. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson and Notre Dame forward Anders Bjork are also players to watch closely over the next few days. With McAvoy, however, the expectations are high. At just 19-years-old, McAvoy has already displayed the makings of a top-tier top-two NHL defenseman

Signing a college player at this point in the year could make a huge impact for the Bruins moving forward. McAvoy can step in and bolster the Bruins defense, though it is also important to note that he is still just 19-years-old. As the Bruins have found out this season, young players can shine and display excellence while also faltering at various points in a season.

Mistakes are Inevitable

20-year-old defenseman Brandon Carlo has shown that he can be a top-four defender in the NHL. Still, his year hasn’t been without struggles. To the credit of former Bruins coach Claude Julien and Bruins interim head coach Bruce Cassidy, both have given Carlo the time he needs to develop despite his struggles.

Related Story: Charlie McAvoy Could be Coming Soon

With McAvoy, the same struggles and more should be expected. While Carlo is a stay-at-home defenseman, McAvoy plays a more well-rounded game and can contribute in all three zones. As such, he could find himself making more mistakes in the offensive zone than Carlo would – this will be fine as long as the Bruins let him learn. It will also be important for McAvoy to take a similar approach as Carlo and shake off his mistakes and rebound with a solid effort as the 20-year-old has down so many times this season.

Next: Bruins Fight Back Into Playoff Position

The Bruins are in their most important stretch of the season. If they can get a player like McAvoy, and even players like Forsbacka-Karlsson and Bjork in their lineup for a playoff push, they could reap some major rewards. The Bruins currently hold a playoff spot in the form of the second wild-card spot. They will need to earn as many points as they can at this point to make the postseason – it’s no longer an option to take a night, or even a shift off.

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