By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones
Heading into his ninth season with the Bruins, Charlie McAvoy will need to take his game to the next level. The former first-round draft pick in the 2016 entry draft was picked as the eleventh-best defenseman in the National Hockey League on NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now ranking.
Before the 2021-2022 season, he was slotted fifth on the annual list. And heading into last season, McAvoy was seventh on NHL Network’s bracket. Many Bruins fans have noticed a dip in his game over the past few seasons. There are a few key areas the 27-year-old defenseman will have to improve in this year.
Health
A significant roadblock McAvoy has faced since entering the NHL has been injuries. Since his first full season as a Bruin in 2018, he has only managed to play at least 74 games twice, with his career high in games reaching 78 in 2022.
Last year, he was sidelined in February after sustaining an injury to his AC joint while playing for the United States team in the Four Nations Face-Off. He then developed a staph infection and was out for the rest of the season.
While McAoy has had some unfortunate breaks during his career, the bottom line is that he needs to be in the lineup consistently. Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm will have to lean on McAvoy in his first season behind Boston’s bench.
Handling the Puck
McAvoy will need to be a more dynamic playmaker and manage the puck better in the defensive zone this season. Despite only playing in 50 games, he ended last season with 72 giveaways. In 74 games the previous season, he gave the puck away on 57 occasions.
As Boston’s number one defenseman, he cannot be as loose with the puck. He has to handle the pressure of the forecheck better and make precise decisions quickly.
Speaking of better decisions, he must improve his play in the offensive zone. Too often, especially on the power play, McAvoy would take too long to either find a passing lane or fire a shot on goal. He only managed four power-play points last season and was often relegated off the main unit in favor of Mason Lohrei.
McAvoy will need a much better year handling the puck, whether in the defensive end, offensive zone, or on the man advantage. He can return to the first power play unit if he trusts his instincts, shot, and play-making ability.
Leadership
This season will be the first time in McAvoy’s career that he will take the ice without Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, or Brad Marchand as part of the Bruins roster. Those four players were critical in re-establishing what it meant to be a Boston Bruin.
Now, along with David Pastrnak, McAvoy must take on an even bigger leadership role. He has worn the “A” on his chest many times, but he and Pastrnak must show the younger players in Boston’s locker room what it means to represent the Spoked-B on and off the ice.
McAvoy is entering a critical stage of his career. This season, he will need to be a fixture in the Bruins’ lineup, dictate play in all three zones, and be a key voice within the organization. It is up to him to put a frustrating season for both himself and the Bruins behind him and do the necessary work to put together a better campaign in 2026.
Leave a Reply