The Charlie McAvoy era in Boston might start sooner than expected.
The Bruins open a first-round Stanley Cup playoff series Wednesday night in Ottawa, and McAvoy could be in the mix, as the club announced Monday that it had signed the young defenseman to a three-year entry-level contract.
McAvoy is expected to practice with the team Monday. And if the Bruins are willing to sign him to the entry-level deal, it’s a pretty good indication they plan to play him against the Senators.
Boston certainly could use a boost on the back end, as defensemen Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo recently suffered injuries, leaving both questionable for the start of the playoffs.
The Bruins selected McAvoy with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The young D-man spent two seasons at Boston University, where he was one of the country’s best players, scoring eight goals and adding 43 assists in 75 games with the Terriers.
McAvoy left BU upon the completion of the Terriers’ season and joined the Providence Bruins. He appeared in four games, had two assists and was a plus-3 in his brief stay with the Bruins’ American Hockey League club.
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
