Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Charles McAvoy poses for a photo after being selected as the number fourteen overall draft pick by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins Prospect Charlie McAvoy Could Be Coming Soon as the Boston University Sophomore Finishes Off His Season

When the 2017 NHL trade deadline passed and the dust had settled, the Boston Bruins didn’t look very different. They maintained their roster and prospect pool while simply trading away a conditional sixth-round draft pick to acquire Drew Stafford. In seven games, Stafford has scored two goals and five points and has proven to be a good fit with the Bruins. Still, the Bruins may not be done adding to their roster for a playoff push. Their next additions, however, could end up costing them nothing while still impact the team greatly.

Once college players are finished their seasons with their schools, they can look to sign NHL contracts and join their clubs. For the Bruins, there are a few players who could join the team sooner than later. For the sake of this article, however, one player in particular will be the focus. That one player happens to be 19-year-old Boston University star, Charlie McAvoy.

The Looks of a Top-Tier Defenseman

McAvoy has been a standout at Boston University. The 14th-overall selection from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he has the potential to take over a game from the blueline while maintaining a responsible two-way game.

McAvoy has been widely consistent between his two seasons at Boston University with the Terriers. In his rookie season last year, he played in 37 games, scored three goals, 22 assists, 25 points and recorded 56 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating. This season, his sophomore year, McAvoy played in 36 games, scored four goals, 20 assists, 24 points as well as 51 penalty minutes and a plus-8 rating.

It was McAvoy’s World Junior Championship performance that really stood out, however. Wearing an ‘A’ for the United States and significant minutes each game – including over 30 per game more often than not, McAvoy led all US defenseman with six points – two goals and four assists, in seven games.

Prior to McAvoy’s season, Bruins’ assistant coach Jay Pandolfo spoke very highly of the Bruins top prospect.

“He’s wide, he can really skate. He’s an effortless skater,” said Pandolfo. “He is the type of D-man that you hope is going to be able to play 26, 27 minutes a night. That’s what he looks like. Even watching him in college last year, he has no problem playing a lot ice time. So that’s important.”

For the Bruins, McAvoy could step in immediately and be a significant piece on their blueline during a postseason push. With the Terriers drawing a matchup against North Dakota in the NCAA tournament on March 24, many in Boston will be watching knowing that a side storyline in the game is McAvoy’s potential to join the Bruins following his season should the Terriers lose.

Don Sweeney Making His Intentions Known

Following the trade deadline, Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney held a press conference. While there were questions about the addition of Stafford and the lack of a blockbuster move that seemed inevitable for weeks, it was this quote from Sweeney that really stood out:

“We have college kids that may decide [to go pro] and make that decision a little easier,” Sweeney said. “Those are case-by-case situations. But we do have some players that we’re going to make decisions on or they’re gonna make decisions in the coming weeks. And we have flexibility to be able to do that — to add those players contractually and bring them into the fold if that’s what we decide to do and that’s what they decide to do.”

One such player could be McAvoy if the desire to join is mutual. Some players have made their intentions to go pro sooner than later clear. Others, such as in the case of Jimmy Vesey, choose to complete their education prior to signing a contract with their team (or another).

It’s unclear whether or not McAvoy will join the Bruins prior to the playoffs. If he does, however, the Bruins could be looking at having a 20-year-old in Brandon Carlo and a 19-year-old in McAvoy manning their top-four. The future in Boston looks bright, and it may be coming sooner than expected.