In a remarkable display of their defensive prowess, two Boston Bruins blueliners have earned coveted positions on the NHL Network's esteemed Top 20 Defensemen list. Charlie McAvoy secured the sixth spot, while Hampus Lindholm claimed the fifteenth position.
Charlie McAvoy's resilience was on full display as he bounced back from offseason surgery that caused him to miss the first 13 games of the recent season. Despite this setback, the 25-year-old defenseman delivered a stellar performance, notching seven goals and 45 assists in 67 regular season games. His impact extended into the playoffs, contributing five assists during the Bruins' intense seven-game series. McAvoy's impressive outing built upon his standout 2021-22 campaign, which earned him a fifth-place finish in the 2022 Norris Trophy voting. Despite the challenges of the 2023 season, including 13 missed games, McAvoy's potential as a future Norris Trophy contender remains undeniable.
"When I look at here, there's a lot of Drew Doughty that I see right before he peaked and became an every-year Norris candidate," commented former NHL defenseman and current NHL Network analyst Thomas Hickey. "That's what Charlie McAvoy is doing right now, and I think that potential is there for him. My biggest thing that I want to see, and I haven't had many grips with anyone, I want to see him play 82 games."
Hampus Lindholm, who secured fourth place in the 2023 Norris Trophy voting, secured the fifteenth spot on the NHL Network's list. Lindholm's first full season with the Bruins showcased his exceptional skills, resulting in ten goals and 43 assists over 80 games. His contributions were particularly crucial in filling the void during McAvoy's absence, where he tallied four goals and nine assists in the initial 13 games of the season. Lindholm's comprehensive NHL journey encompasses 67 goals and 213 assists throughout 672 games.
