The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Charlie McAvoy to an eight-year, $76 million contract extension, the team announced on Friday. As a result of the new deal, McAvoy will make $9.5 million per season.
McAvoy was slated to become a restricted free agent following the 2021-22 season. He is currently in the final year of a three-year bridge deal that pays him $4.9 million annually and is now getting the biggest deal in Bruins franchise history
The Bruins star is just the latest NHL defenseman to receive a massive contract extension from his team. Now McAvoy ($9.5 million per season) is one of the highest-paid defensemen along with the Chicago Blackhawks‘ Seth Jones ($9.5 million per season), Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar ($9 million per season), Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Zach Werenski ($9.58 million), and New Jersey Devils‘ Dougie Hamilton ($9 million per season), who all received contract extensions over the offseason.
McAvoy is coming off a season in which he recorded 30 points (five goals and 25 assists) and a plus-22 rating in 51 games. In addition, the Bruins defenseman also had 12 points (one goal and 11 assists) in 11 playoff games for the team. Those 12 assists were tied with Brad Marchand for second on the team in playoff scoring. As a result, McAvoy finished fifth in the voting for the Norris Trophy, which is annually awarded to the league’s top defenseman.
In 235 career regular season games with the Bruins, McAvoy has accumulated 122 points (24 goals and 98 assists). In 65 postseason games, McAvoy has totaled five goals and 27 assists. The 24-year old was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
