News broke on Friday morning that the Bruins had signed defenseman Charlie McAvoy to an 8-year deal worth $9.5 million per season. This is a good deal for both McAvoy and the Bruins. McAvoy gets top of the market value and the Bruins lock up a perennial Norris-Trophy candidate through the majority of his prime.
Since entering the NHL in 2016, McAvoy has been a constant presence on Boston’s blue line and he has emerged as one of the league’s premier defensemen. He finished 10th in Norris voting in 2020 and 5th in 2021 while averaging over 23 minutes of ice team per game in both of those seasons. McAvoy can play at a high level on both the penalty kill and power play while anchoring the Bruins’ top defense pair. Although he did not take a discount like Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, the Bruins still locked him up at market value and did not have to overpay.
For McAvoy, the deal represents a long-term commitment from the team and a nice pay-day. He will be counted on as part of the Bruins current and future core. The deal matches what Seth Jones got from the Chicago Blackhawks and puts him line with other top defenseman. At 23-years old, McAvoy should be able to sign another lucrative, long-term deal when this one expires provided his stellar play continues.
For both McAvoy and the Bruins, this deal will be beneficial. Boston is hoping to make a run at the Stanley Cup this season and contend for the rest of the decade. Having McAvoy on board will be a big piece of that. For McAvoy, he can rest assured knowing he is thought of as and paid like one of the best defensemen in the NHL.