Boston Bruins: Top 3 impact players to watch against Dallas

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 23: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period of the preseason game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on September 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 23: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period of the preseason game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on September 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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BOSTON - JANUARY 15: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) is checked into the boards by Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) during the second period. The Boston Bruins host the Dallas Stars in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 15, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – JANUARY 15: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) is checked into the boards by Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) during the second period. The Boston Bruins host the Dallas Stars in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 15, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Charlie McAvoy

With the ink on his contract extension freshly dried, Charlie McAvoy will be looking to convince Bruins fans (as if they need more persuading) that the Bruins did good by retaining him for $4.9 million per season for the next three years.

McAvoy’s endeared himself to Bruins fans for his passionate performance on the ice and his easy transition to top-pair play in the NHL. It’s pretty rare to see defensemen play at such an elite level this early in their career, but hey, I’m not complaining. Having him on the roster is a big win all around.

In three games this preseason, McAvoy put in some serious minutes with an average total of 22:54. While going pointless, he happened to tally 11 shots on goal, and what we really like at Causeway Crowd is effort.

He’s likely to continue that momentum into the regular season, starting tonight in Dallas. The practice lines at today’s morning rush had him paired with Zdeno Chara once again, and we saw that pair to be an important one for the Bruins last season.