Exclusive: Bruins Defenseman Charlie McAvoy Joins Toucher & Hardy

On Tuesday's edition of Toucher & Hardy, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy joined the show from down at the Bruins Media Day. McAvoy discussed the addition of Nikita Zadorov by the Bruins in the offseason, and the locker room dynamic when the team acquires a player who has a bad relationship with other players who are already on the team.

Toucher: So, you know, in the playoffs last year, people were taking shots at you. Like people beat up on you. You would agree on that, right? Because you're the best defense. I mean, people try to try to push you around.

Charlie McAvoy: Yeah, it's just part of the game.

Toucher: Okay. So that being said, the defense got bigger, and the team got bigger this year. Do you think that's with an eye on the playoffs?

Charlie McAvoy: Yeah, I think we got some guys now, and especially bringing in Zadorov, where you know that you have some sort of presence right. Like, you know he's mean and every single person out there on the other team needs to know when he's out there. He's one of those guys. He brings a physical presence who's going to take up space in your head. So that certainly helps when you have those guys, especially in playoff time, when the minutes get harder and the play gets harder. Like I think that those guys can certainly tilt games in your favor.

Wallach: When you're opposing a guy like Zadorov, and you see him on the other side. I would imagine you kind of get a mental picture of what he must be like, and then he comes and plays with you. How is the thought process kind of equaled reality?

Charlie McAvoy: No, it's been great. You know, I didn't get too many viewings of him when I was out in Vancouver, out on the West Coast. It's hard to keep up with everybody. But, I remember seeing him shine there in the playoffs and all throughout the season where you're seeing him. Whether it's big hits, or offense, or defense or anything in between. I knew that he was a guy that I thought would fit in great here. I can't wait to see what he can do, whether I'm playing with him or not. Either way, he's going to help us big time.

Toucher: Has there been a guy that's come in that you've had to play with, that you had a on ice bad relationship with before?

Charlie McAvoy: That's a good question. I'm trying to think, the roster turnover in sports is crazy. You know, guys moving on and bringing guys in and outside.

Toucher: Because every time someone comes in they've got it with Marchand.

Charlie McAvoy: Everybody's got a beef with Marchand.

Toucher: Do you know how he handles that, when someone comes in? Is there a process hockey players go to? Is it just an understanding?

Charlie McAvoy: His example would be even better than than mine. But so when we got Marcus Johansson the year that we went to the finals in 2019. If not that year, it was the year before where Marchand got like a five game suspension when he actually elbowed Marcus in the in the head, and Johansson had a bad concussion after that. Certainly if there's beef that's as big as it's going to get.

Toucher: Sure.

Charlie McAvoy: Then you bring a guy like that in, and I'm sure you guys know Marchand. He's the epitome of the guy who you want on your team, that you don't like to play against. You know, he's got a heart as big as anybody I know. Once you're in this room, it's a lot of love and we all take care of each other. So very quickly, once you bring him(Johansson) in and there's no more of that. We're all pulling in the same direction, and even a step further than that, you're becoming friendly. You have a genuine care for these people.

Forward Marc McLaughlin was not the only player cut from Bruins camp on Sunday.

In fact, McLaughlin was just the start of what was effectively a halving of the B's training camp roster, with almost 20 players reassigned from Boston's training camp by the day's end.

The Bruins had entered the weekend knowing they were going to be making some cuts, and went for more of a 'rip the bandaid' off approach with the final week of the preseason upon the club.

But it was a day that did come with more than one surprise in regards to those sent to Providence.

Up front, the Bruins decided to send 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell down to Providence.

The talk of the offseason, especially when it came to a vacant 'RW2' spot that was intentionally left unaddressed by the club, Lysell started slow this preseason, but appeared to pick things up with a goal and a penalty drawn in his second outing. Lysell also got the call in Saturday's overtime loss in Philadelphia, and appeared to show some definite progress when it came to his on-ice vision and adapting to pro tendencies.

But it was not enough for Lysell to warrant a longer look this preseason, even with another three games left on the warm-up slate, with Lysell sent to the AHL once again.

In three games this preseason, the 21-year-old Lysell recorded one goal and four shots on goal. Lysell was also tied for the third-most individual scoring chances for (all strengths, with five, according to NaturalStatTrick.

One definite complaint you can have about Lysell this preseason is that the Black and Gold didn't really seem to get him involved with NHL-level talent beyond the opening days, with Lysell's final preseason appearance coming on what was a third-line look with Johnny Beecher and Patrick Brown.

Along with Lysell, the Bruins also sent Georgii Merkulov, another player who was considered a potential favorite (among young players anyway) to make the NHL jump, back down to the AHL.

Merkulov's demotion comes with the Russian-born forward tied for the team lead with two points (both assists) through three games this preseason. For Merkulov, who was at one point in camp lauded by Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery for his practice habits and efforts, the best play of the preseason came on a slick backhand dish to Justin Brazeau for a goal in last Tuesday's preseason win over the Capitals at TD Garden.

In addition to the points, Merkulov was credited with three hits, a blocked shot, and won 14 of 30 faceoffs throughout his three-game preseason run with the club.

Elsewhere up front, the Bruins also reassigned forwards Joey Abate, Riley Duran, Brett Harrison, Trevor Kuntar, Adam Mechura, and Jaxon Nelson to AHL Providence. Both Harrison (Thursday in NY) and Kuntar (last Sunday against the Rangers) found the back of the net during their preseason runs with the Bruins.

One notable when it came to this round of cuts is that Tyler Johnson, who is with the Bruins on a pro tryout, remains with the NHL club here beyond the halfway point of the preseason slate.

On the point, the Bruins went with some definite expected cuts, with Drew Bavaro, Frederic Brunet, Michael Callahan, Jackson Edward, Ryan Mast, and Mason Millman all assigned to Providence for the opening of P-Bruins camp. Nobody in this group was expected to compete for NHL minutes with the Bruins out of the gate.

In fact, this appears to be a case of the Black and Gold going with the path of least resistance when it comes to their first cuts from the backend, with every waiver-eligible defender who's ultimately bound for the AHL by the time the season starts remaining with the club at this point in camp.

The B's backend probably has the least room for movement out of every position group on this roster, with Parker Wotherspoon expected to be Boston's seventh defenseman after a strong finish to his 2023-24.

In goal, the Bruins assigned Ryan Bischel and Nolan Maier to Providence, while veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo was released from his pro tryout with the club but also assigned to the P-Bruins.

All three goaltenders failed to draw into action for the club prior to their respective cuts.