Boston Bruins: Anticipating Charlie McAvoy’s next contract
As the Boston Bruins head into the Stanley Cup Finals, it has become clear who their top defenseman truly is. Charlie McAvoy has become the all-around defender that the front office and fans alike hoped for.
However following the Stanley Cup Finals, it will be time to look ahead as the Boston Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy becomes a restricted free agent.
The Boston University product has upped his game to a whole new level in the playoffs, aside from the one missed game, as he has set himself apart as the top defender.
His ability to get the stick into lanes, use a good poke-check and a more physical presence has made that next level reachable. Add in his offensive prowess and you got the complete defenseman that is vital in today’s NHL.
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In 54 regular season games, Charlie McAvoy showed enough to be a top defenseman in the NHL. He provided 7 goals and 21 assists for a total of 28 points with a plus/minus of +14. In the playoffs, he has added seven points in 16 games with a +9 showing great continued success with the third best plus/minus in the NHL, sitting behind just two of his Boston Bruins teammates.
It was reported in February that Charlie McAvoy declined an extension offer by the Boston Bruins this past off-season, per his agent.
Reason being; he wanted to prove his worth matches that who he compares himself to, Florida Panthers defenseman, Aaron Ekblad – the perfect comparison to understand the contract Charlie McAvoy has earned with his play.
Ekblad signed an eight-year, $60 million extension with the Florida Panthers. In his two full seasons before receiving the extension, Ekblad put up 39 points, a +12 in 81 games then 36 points, a +18 in 78 games in the 2015-16 season. With the annual average of $7.5 million, the Panthers understood what they had in Ekblad.
Charlie McAvoy’s first two seasons totals before a possible extension would be 32 points, +20 in 63 games and 28 points, +14 in 54 games this season. McAvoy’s totals would seemingly be better had he avoided injuries in the past two seasons, but his impressive play-off play only adds to that.
Signing McAvoy long-term is the Boston Bruins’ top priority going into the off-season and locking him up with an annual average of $7.5 million or even a bit more is one the front office, McAvoy and the fans would certainly be happy to see.
Next. Defense shines even without captain Zdeno Chara. dark
Charlie McAvoy is the biggest piece not currently locked up by the Boston Bruins at this point. Until then, let’s hope McAvoy and the Bruins can raise the Cup soon enough.