Boston Bruins: McAvoy Playing His Way Into Norris Trophy Consideration?

Last season, Boston Bruins defensemen Charlie McAvoy finished 10th in the Norris Trophy voting, given to the top NHL defensemen. The 23-year-old had a breakout season with partner Zdeno Chara with a career-high in assists with 27 and had a very good plus/minus (+/-) with another career-high with a plus-24.

The Bruins lost their top two blueliners from last season in free agency when Torey Krug left to go to the St. Louis Blues and Chara also bolted Boston and headed to the Washington Capitals. With those two gone this season, McAvoy was looked upon to be the leader of the defense.

McAvoy has excepted the challenge and has been the Bruins’ best player on the blue line through 11 games and should be in contention for the Norris Trophy almost a quarter of the way through the 56-game shortened season. Yes, I know, it’s only 11 games, but he has been fantastic early in the season for the Black and Gold and a big reason for the 8-1-2 start.

Bruins McAvoy playing at a high-level in 2021.

McAvoy is tied with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci with nine assists and is third on the team in points with 10. He has averaged 24:24 of ice time early in the season and his skill set has allowed him to play a big part in the power play in the absence of Matt Grzelcyk with three assists and has played some valuable penalty killing minutes.

Jumping up into the play has been a staple of McAvoy this season and it paid off with his only goal of the season against the Capitals on Jan. 30 when tied in the game in the final minute and forced overtime.

McAvoy’s start to the season should have him at the top of the list for the Norris Trophy. Again, it’s just 11 games, but he has been everything that the Bruins have hope for and more. Paired with Jeremy Lauzon, he has brought along the young defensemen in his first full season in the NHL.

Aside from his offensive game and better zone coverage in the defensive end, he has sacrificed his body early in the season. He has 18 blocks and 13 hits. At 6-foot-0 and 208 pounds, the 2016 first-round selection at No. 14 in the Entry Draft has a Fenwick-for percentage (FF%) of 58.9 and Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 57.1, both impressive numbers.

Early in the season, the results for McAvoy should have him in the conversation as one of the top young defensemen in the league. If his play continues the way it has started, he will find himself much higher than 10th in voting for the Norris Trophy and maybe even a top three.