Charlie McAvoy’s latest season was packed with production, pain, and plenty of minutes, but the NHL Network’s view of him barely moved.
On Sunday, the network released its top 20 defensemen list, and the Bruins blueliner landed at No. 11 for the second straight summer. He had been ranked No. 7 heading into the 2024-25 season, so even after a career year, the number beside his name stayed put.
That career year was a big one. McAvoy put up 61 points, finishing with 11 goals and 50 assists, and he led Boston defensemen in scoring for the fourth time in his career.
He also logged the most ice time on the team at 24:23 per game, handling regular shifts on both the power play and penalty kill. His 23 power play points, including two goals and 21 assists, ranked third on the Bruins and marked a personal best.
The Long Beach, New York, native also added a gold medal with Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milan, where he was the fifth-ranked American defenseman on the NHL Network’s list.
Health was part of the story too, and not in a good way. McAvoy missed the end of the 2024-25 season after injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder. The following season brought more trouble: a slapshot to the face in November required surgery, and he lost 20 pounds while on a liquid diet, missing 11 games.
In February, McAvoy absorbed a flying elbow from Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis but stayed in the game and still skated 22:05 that night. Then in March, he took another hit, lost some teeth, came back in the third period, and scored the overtime winner against the Los Angeles Kings.
McAvoy said on the Tkachuk brothers’ podcast that he still has dental work scheduled for September.
The list ahead of him was familiar territory. He finished just behind Jaccob Slavin at No. 12 and ahead of Team USA teammates Brock Faber at No. 14 and Jackson LaCombe at No.
- Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard came in at No.
10, Detroit’s Moritz Seider at No. 9, and the top three belonged to Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, and Cale Makar.
The Bruins will open the 2026-27 season without McAvoy, who was suspended six games for a slash to Buffalo’s Zach Benson during the final seconds of Game 6. He is eligible to return for Boston’s road trip to California, which begins on October 13.
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