A few months after the Boston Bruins saw their run to the Stanley Cup Final end in disappointment, hockey fans around New England were left holding their collective breath as the team prepared for the 2019-20 season.
One of the team’s shining stars in the present and future was left without a contract, watching his teammates start training camp. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy didn’t like that because he wanted nothing more than to return to the ice and join the Bruins as they officially turned the page after last June’s seven-game series loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Though McAvoy’s play was still revving up, as he recorded just a pair of points (both assists) through Boston’s first nine regular-season games, GM Don Sweeney sees his 21-year-old defenseman’s new deal — a three-year, $4.9 million annual contract — as much more.
“We felt very comfortable that we would eventually find a common ground and we were fortunate Charlie and his group agrees,” the general manager said Sept. 15 after McAvoy’s re-signing, one of several for talented NHL blueliners this offseason, including Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov. “And I’m excited. I’ve looked at this nothing other than well beyond three years as to when Charlie is going to play for the Boston Bruins. … He’s an important, important part of our hockey club this year, last year and many years going forward.”
