While Charlie McAvoy still awaits a Boston Bruins contract extension, he no longer has to wait for his Stanley Cup Playoff grade.
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy shut out all the doubters that may have been left with an incredible playoff performance that helped him prove he was not only the top guy for the Boston Bruins on the defensive side, but also an elite defensemen in the NHL.
Charlie McAvoy is simply outstanding. He proved he deserves the big-money contract that an elite defensemen would get in the NHL. He was a presence on the defensive and offensive ends of the ice from incredible stick placement, putting his body on the line, and stepping up on offense with well-timed pinches and control of the puck. With that being said, the playoff grade of Charlie McAvoy in the playoffs this season was an A.
On the defensive side he showed incredible growth. A player that fans already have seen as a superstar in the making did all fans could dream of and so much more.
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The 21-year-old out of Boston University showed few growing pains and more so the ability to do whatever it takes to win. The ‘whatever it takes’ attitude is something all Boston Bruins fans should want to see out of their players, especially one who is soon to be one of their highest paid.
Charlie McAvoy’s climb back from health problems all the way back in 2016 makes his incredible run in the playoffs even more special. Becoming the silent leader of the defense, helping Zdeno Chara and his deficiencies due to his age to make them the best line the Bruins had in their long Stanley Cup run. Not that maturity was ever a question with McAvoy, but he managed to grow so much on both sides of the ice as he added to his game.
Getting his stick in lanes to break up passes and playing more physical than we had ever seen made him the complete defender the Boston Bruins needed for the deep playoff run. And he was so smooth with the puck in his possession and could always control the moment.
While there would be a handful of times he would be caught pinching too much, McAvoy always did what he could to make up on the play with the back check and his overall speed that one cannot teach.
An A for Charlie McAvoy is a sign of things to come from the stud from Long Island. He has learned to love Boston and make it his home, stating “I want to be here forever.”
You know what the kid brings to the table Don, now it is time to lock him up.