Boston Bruins: Will Zach Werenski set the price for Charlie McAvoy?

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COLUMBUS, OH – MAY 2: Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets attempts to knock Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins off the puck during the first period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 2, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Charlie McAvoy has the play-off upper-hand

In the past two playoffs, the story would repeat with McAvoy having better stats at even-strength, while Werenski adds a ton to his numbers on the power play. Both players are ice-time giants; in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Charlie McAvoy averaged 24:30 of the ice-time per game, while Werenski reached 26:37 of the time on the ice per contest.

Looking to other statistics; in the 2018-19 regular season, McAvoy had 91 blocks and 92 hits, while Werenski has marked 89 blocks and 67 hits. Keep in mind that Werenski didn’t miss a game, while McAvoy has missed 28 total meetings – safe to say that McAvoy is the more physical of the two.

To sum this up, McAvoy has better overall stats, mainly at the even-strength. However, Werenski has put more points on the board and he eats up more of his team’s ice-time. Besides, he has never been seriously injured and has played one year longer in the NHL than Charlie McAvoy. It’s almost as if McAvoy is clearly a better overall defenseman, but Werenski has proven himself that little bit more.

If Werenski settles down on a three-year deal worth $5.5 million per campaign, McAvoy shouldn’t reach that but should be right below it. That would be excellent news for the Boston Bruins and their short-term salary-cap crunch.

Notwithstanding, from a long-term standpoint, locking McAvoy to a long seven-year deal would be the best option. But as per source in Columbus, that’s also a preference of Zach Werenski, which is probably not happening.

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However, it would be very interesting if both Werenski and McAvoy signed a same three-year deal, Werenski would take $5.5 million per year and McAvoy something less, let’s guess, $5 million per season deal. The comparison made in 2022 would look intriguing for sure.

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