Charlie McAvoy still stands among the league’s best, though his career-high season did not impact his standing at all.
On Sunday, the NHL Network released its list of the top 20 defensemen right now. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy ranked 11th, the same as his spot last summer.
He was the No. 7-ranked defenseman entering the 2024-25 season.
McAvoy is coming off a career-high 61-point (11-50–61) season, and he led Bruins defensemen in points for the fourth time in his career. He also led the team with an average ice time of 24:23, clocking regular minutes on both the power play and penalty kill. His 23 power play points (2-21–23) were the third most on the Bruins’ roster, and also a career high.
The Long Beach, New York, native also won the gold medal with Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milan. He was the fifth-ranked American defenseman on the NHL Network’s list.
McAvoy missed the end of the 2024-25 season with an injury to his right shoulder’s AC (acromioclavicular) joint, and the 2025-26 season was not smooth sailing in terms of health. McAvoy took a slapshot to the face in November, needed surgery, then lost 20 pounds while on a liquid diet. He missed 11 games. In February, he was on the receiving end of a flying elbow from Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis. McAvoy stayed in the lineup and logged 22:05 of ice time that night.
He also took a hit in March, lost some teeth, then returned in the third period and scored the overtime winner against the Los Angeles Kings.
While on the Tkachuk brothers’ podcast, McAvoy said that he still has dental work scheduled for September.
McAvoy finished just ahead of Jaccob Slavin (No. 12), and also landed ahead of Team USA teammates Brock Faber (No. 14) and Jackson LaCombe (No. 17). Ahead of McAvoy, Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard finished 10th, and Detroit’s Moritz Seider ranked ninth. Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, and Cale Makar rounded out the top three.
NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list has a total of:
• 21 total All-Star Game appearances
• 11 All-Rookie team honors
• Seven Norris Trophies
• Seven Olympic Gold Medals
• Four Calder Trophies
• Two Conn Smythe Trophies
• Six Stanley Cups
What do you think of… pic.twitter.com/lojAgF9y4V
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 10, 2026
The Bruins will start the 2026-27 season without their top defenseman. He was suspended six games for a slash to Buffalo’s Zach Benson during the final seconds of Game 6. He can return for the Bruins’ road trip to California, which starts on October 13.
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