“He’s dynamic defensively, way underrated physically and so strong offensively,” McGuire said in Detroit Wednesday. “He makes a difference in almost every game. And he’s only going to keep getting better. He’s just scratching the surface of the player he’s going to be.”
Milbury said McAvoy has to get serious Calder consideration.
“What’s he’s (playing), 231⁄2 minutes?” the ex-Bruins player and coach asked rhetorically. “He’s right there in rookie scoring. I’d say he has to shoot more, but you can’t say enough good things about him.
“He looks like he’s going to be a good No. 1 for a long time. He’s changing the future of the Bruins franchise, really. If Chara can hand the torch to a new No. 1 defenseman like that, you’re a lucky franchise.
“It’s a fair comparison to (Kings star Drew) Doughty — a guy who can play in all situations — penalty kill and power play, 5-on-5, gets lots of ice time and have an enormous impact. Nothing seems to fluster him. To me, you have to be born with that attitude. I think McAvoy has that.
“I’ve focused on him a lot lately and I see an ability to recover. Even if he makes a mistake, he’s able to recover, get back into position. That’s a great sign. You may get in trouble, but then you work hard to get back to cover your own mistake.
“I think he’s a legitimate (Calder) candidate. There are some other good ones out there. It’s a little early to start pinning the favorite’s role on anyone. He won’t get the gaudy offensive numbers some of the forwards will. But it’s a lot tougher to break in as a 19-year-old defenseman than a 22-year-old forward.”
As important as their minutes are, it’s not that common for defensemen to win the Calder. Since Bourque’s win, only six of 36 Calder recipients were blue-liners (along with six goaltenders). The honor typically, and sometimes maybe unfairly, goes to the high-profile forward who posts big offensive numbers.
