What This Bruins Defenseman Must Do to Win the Norris Trophy
In the realm of ice hockey, Charlie McAvoy, the Boston Bruins' defenseman, is heading into the 2023-24 season with a golden chance to clinch his inaugural Norris Trophy as the NHL's premier defenseman. Despite his lack of prior nominations, he's widely acknowledged as one of the top defenders in the league.
Observations thus far highlight McAvoy's prowess at both ends of the rink, but there's still room to further enhance his offensive game. With the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins need other players to step up their scoring contributions.
After a season where he garnered a career-high 52 points (consisting of seven goals and 45 assists), McAvoy was poised to surpass his previous best of 56 points from the 2021-22 season. However, a shoulder surgery recovery sidelined him for the first 15 games of the 2022-23 season. McAvoy possesses all the attributes required to become the league's top defenseman. Despite his commendable numbers, there's an untapped aspect of his game that he can further develop to elevate his Norris Trophy chances.
McAvoy's goal output doesn't quite align with the customary Norris Trophy contenders, given his lower goal count. In the 2021-22 season, he managed ten goals, whereas the last three Norris Trophy winners (in an 82-game season) averaged 23 goals. This begs the question: why hasn't McAvoy achieved that higher goal mark?
The primary reason behind the 25-year-old defenseman's reduced goal tally seems to stem from his total shots on goal and attempted shots. Over the past three seasons, Norris Trophy recipients averaged 236.3 total shots on goal and 508 attempted shots in an 82-game span. McAvoy's peak shot on goal count is 166, and his attempted shots top out at 295 throughout his NHL career.
The message is clear: McAvoy needs to up his shot attempts, translating into more shots on goal. The math suggests that this approach could potentially lead to more goals. McAvoy's shot quality isn't lacking either; he's demonstrated an ability for quick releases or powerful shots. Additionally, his ability to precisely place the puck is evident in his numerous pinpoint corner goals.
McAvoy might not fire shots as frequently as other top defensemen due to the Bruins' strong group of forwards who excel at shooting, including Pastrnak, his teammate since his NHL debut in 2017. Given the team's current offensive setup, which might not be as potent as before, it's an opportune time for McAvoy to target the net more often.
The former Boston University Terrier displays minimal weaknesses in his game. His defensive expertise and physical play are self-evident, accompanied by his leadership both on and off the ice. He plays crucial roles during power plays and penalty kills, excelling at transitioning the puck out of the defensive zone. However, in light of the evolving dynamics of the league, the formula is clear: for the former first-round draft pick to lay claim to his first Norris Trophy, he should increase his shot frequency.
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| POLL | ||
3 SEPTEMBRE | 101 ANSWERS What This Bruins Defenseman Must Do to Win the Norris Trophy Do you think Charlie McAvoy will ever win a Norris? | ||
| Yes | 75 | 74.3 % |
| No | 26 | 25.7 % |
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