Why Charlie McAvoy Is Worth Every Penny to the Boston Bruins

Ever since David Pastrnak established himself as a top-flight talent who can keep pace with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, the Boston Bruins have been defined by the Perfection Line. Not only does this trio remain among the most dominant in the NHL, but it has also carried a ridiculous three-zone burden over the past five seasons.

In fact, it’s so heavy that Boston is often referred to as a one-line team.

Charlie McAvoy is changing that narrative. The 23-year-old is cementing his status as an elite defenseman and turning the Bruins into a four-headed monster.

The timing couldn’t be any sweeter either. Boston just handed him a mammoth eight-year, $76 million extension that rivals deals recently signed by Seth Jones, Dougie Hamilton, Zach Werenski, Darnell Nurse, and Cale Makar. Outside of Makar, McAvoy is better than the lot.

Moreover, he continues to improve. Thus far in 2021-22, he’s registered two points in two games, and the Bruins are controlling 68.4% of the scoring chances, 75.0% of the high-danger bids, 75.8% of the expected goals and 100.0% of the actual goals during his 5-on-5 shifts. This follows a campaign in which he produced 30 points in 51 games and posted a 58.1 SCF%, 57.4 HDCF%, 58.8 xGF% and 61.0 GF%.

But let’s set the numbers aside for a moment. It is a small sample size after all.

Thankfully, the eye test reaches the same conclusion: He looks more dynamic and flat out dominant this season, effortlessly breaking the puck out and driving offense with his powerful skating and pinpoint passing.

Look at how that tape-to-tape accuracy puts his teammates in position to immediately turn up the ice and attack the opposition:

Deadly weapons such as Pastrnak, Marchand, Bergeron and Taylor Hall become that much more potent when you can gift-wrap them possession in plus situations. McAvoy’s dishes are picture-perfect. And if there isn’t a suitable passing lane or he’s under heavy pressure, he can simply buy time or evade defenders with his terrific wheels.

He’s not strictly a facilitator, though. He leverages his skating and sense of timing to creep into the attack and obtain his own opportunities. Once he gets some daylight, he can make magic happen.

It’s not some happy coincidence that he ranks among the top five defensemen in scoring chances. His understanding of when to hang back and when to press the issue grows sharper with every season. That ability to consistently make the right decision pins the opposition on its heels. He can dangle into the middle of the ice just as well as he can filter shots through traffic. He currently leads the league in rebounds created.

Consider this sequence from the Bruins’ season opener against the Dallas Stars:

With Michael Raffl taking an overly aggressive pursuit angle, McAvoy slips the puck past him to claim the middle of the ice and fire a bid from prime real estate. On his next touch, he notices that Raffl is more conservative. Given that cushion and the bodies in front of the net, he fires a point shot on goal.

This balanced approach makes him difficult to contain. Play him tight, and he’ll shake you. Offer him space, and he’ll create looks for his teammates.

Of course, we can’t overlook his defense. Though McAvoy is guilty of the occasional mistake—just like any other rearguard—he’s by and large a steady presence in his end. He makes full use of his skating, instincts and active stick to disrupt the puck-carrier. He simply doesn’t give up anything for free:

However, his preference is to nip forwards’ designs in the bud. Thanks to his mobility and physicality, he prevents opponents from gaining easy entries or establishing an effective forecheck:

He can catch almost any player in the league, and while his 6’1”, 206-pound frame isn’t extraordinary, he’s as strong as an ox. He can run you through the boards, lay you out in open ice or outmuscle you down low. McAvoy’s attributes allow him to smother opponents before their plays ever reach fruition. As such, it’s no real surprise that he’s also a top-five figure in fewest expected goals against.

For all his defensive acumen, it’s worth noting that McAvoy isn’t a pure shutdown artist. He’s more of a two-way blueliner with an emphasis on transition. He aims to gain possession and then tilt the ice in one fell swoop.

Hall’s first goal of the year is a great illustration of McAvoy’s game:

He breaks up a slot pass, anticipates Rasmus Ristolainen’s dump-in and connects with Hall in stride for a breakaway. Stout defense, high IQ and natural puck-moving skill conspire to burn the Flyers before they even know what hit them.

This is the Bruins’ go-for-the-jugular ethos in a nutshell. Quick, fluid, merciless. Three-zone brilliance.

McAvoy can handle anything you throw at him. His pro debut came in the playoffs…at 19 years of age. Then future Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara showed him the ropes on the top pair against stiff competition. Now in his second season without his mentor, he looks more assertive and poised than ever.

Sure, it cost Boston a pretty penny to lock him up for the next eight years. It’s actually the richest contract in Bruins history. But as a 23-year-old minute-munching, play-driving, all-situations right-handed defenseman who fits seamlessly with the club’s identity, he’s worth it.