Boston Bruins player preview: Charlie McAvoy

Charlie McAvoy is leading the youth movement for the Boston Bruins, and in 2017 he hopes to have an extremely strong season.

Charlie McAvoy was thrust into the playoffs last year. The 19-year-old out of Boston University ended up being one of the highlights of the entire series for the Boston Bruins. Immediately, McAvoy proved he belonged, delivering big hits and showing great offensive ability.

In the playoffs, McAvoy tallied three assists and now we’re all looking forward to seeing what he will be able to do with a full season under his belt.

McAvoy was recently a guest on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and he talked about how he wanted to build off his experience in the playoffs last season.

"“I’m looking to just pick up where I left off and I think I had a really good offseason. … As far as expectations, I don’t really put a ton on myself, I don’t throw a number out there where I’m like, ‘Wow, if I don’t hit that, then it’s a disappointing year.”"

Predictions for 2017-2018 Season

Well unlike Charlie I do have some numbers to throw out. Let’s compare him to a similar player on the Bruins, Torey Krug. Even though McAvoy is a couple inches taller ( three inches to be exact according to Hockey Reference).

In Krug’s first full season playing with the Bruins, he racked up 14 goals and 26 assists.

With what we saw in the playoffs McAvoy may be more of a presence in the defensive zone than Krug. McAvoy still has an amazing offensive ability though. He proved he could handle the puck and find open players at the highest level with his performance in the playoffs.

I feel I would be remiss to mention it was the kid’s first few games in the NHL. The ability he showed in the playoffs is something that we haven’t seen out of a 19-year-old kid before.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

I believe McAvoy will put up 15 goals and 15 assists at a minimum. That would put him at 30 points on the season. I think though, that McAvoy is the real deal and he can excel past those numbers.

He should be on the first line with Zdeno Chara, and I feel he may have the ability to win the Calder Trophy. With that in mind, I feel the 15 goals may be a firm number but I feel McAvoy has a supreme passing ability. I think he may be able to get closer to 25 or 30 assists if he has a Calder Trophy season.

Also, I feel that McAvoy will be able to embody the “big, bad, Bruins” mantra. We saw in the playoffs that he was able to lay the lumber. Which is exactly what the Bruins need. This season is a big one in the story of Charlie McAvoy. Will he falter and wear out in a full NHL season or will we see him continue to thrive and become one of the top young defensemen in the league?

Next: 2017-18 Boston Bruins Preview

Boston opens their season on October 5th, at home against the Western Conference Champions the Nashville Predators. It will be McAvoy’s first chance to shine!