It’s easy to understand why David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy are integral parts of the Boston Bruins’ present and future cores.
The Boston Bruins right wing and defenseman both appeared on ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski’s list of the NHL’s 25 best players under 25 years old Tuesday. Having established themselves as key components of the Bruins squad, Pastrnak, 24, and McAvoy, 22, have impressed NHL observers near and far early in their respective careers.
Wyshynski ranked Pastrnak No. 4, up three spots from where he slotted him last year.
“After sharing the Rocket Richard Trophy with some guy named Ovechkin, Pastrnak now has 155 goals in 293 games since 2016-17,” Wyshynski wrote. “His 0.53 goals-per-game average ranks third in the NHL in that span. Where he really excels is on the power play, where he’s second to Ovechkin in goals since 2016-17, with 60. The fact that he plays with Patrice Bergeron and Marchand helps pave over some of his defensive deficiencies; but even if his game isn’t completely well-rounded, Pasta is the best winger under age 25.”
Wyshynski ranked McAvoy No. 22 for the second consecutive year.
“McAvoy has quietly become the Bruins’ best defenseman, playing smart positional defense with a physical edge when necessary,” Wyshynski wrote. “He’s earned comparisons to Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, but by his second season Doughty was already popping for 59 points. That’s the rub with McAvoy: We don’t quite know what his offensive game looks like until it’s unleashed.
“Perhaps with Torey Krug moving on, he’ll get a longer look on the power play. While only one half of McAvoy’s game has really come into focus in his three NHL seasons, we’re seen enough to know he’s a special player.”
As time passes, starting with the 2021 NHL season and continuing beyond the campaign, expect the Bruins to rely increasingly on Pastrnak and McAvoy. In turn, the players’ rankings on this list and others should climb.
