As the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline approaches, the Boston Bruins seem to continually be linked to Jakob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes. Chychrun went 16th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, just two picks after the Boston Bruins selected their franchise defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

So let’s take a look at how the Boston Bruins ended up picking 14th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, which landed them McAvoy over Chychrun.

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  ELMONT, NEW YORK – JANUARY 18: Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his second period goal against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on January 18, 2023 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

• It’s April 9th, 2016 and all the Boston Bruins need to do is win the final game of the season at the TD Garden to make the playoffs.

  Just a few hours prior to puck drop the team suspiciously recalls a goalie from Providence. Recently after that we learn that starting goaltender, Tuukka Rask, will not be suiting up in a win or go home game because he’s sick.

  What ended up happening? The Bruins lost 6-1 to the Ottawa Senators. Jonas Gustavsson lets in 4 goals on 34 shots and the team allows two empty net goals.

  So instead of getting a first round playoff matchup with the defending Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bruins miss the playoffs and land the 14th pick in the draft.

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  Nov 20, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Is there any guaranteeing that the Arizona Coyotes (or the Detroit Red Wings, who initially had the 16th overall pick) end up taking McAvoy over Chycurun? There’s no real way of knowing. But that’s a question we don’t have to answer. Why? Because Tuukka Rask didn’t let that happen.

  So as the Bruins are linked to Chychrun around the trade deadline, remember that they may have already had their eyes set on him before in 2016. However, a better defenseman was available at the time and they drafted him over Chychrun. His name was Charlie McAvoy. And why did the Bruins select 14th overall ahead of Arizona and Detroit? The answer is Tuukka Rask.

  So remember Bruins fans, that star defenseman that wears #73 on the blue line, he’s here because Tuukka Rask missed a game. A game that ultimately ended the Bruins season a week before it would’ve ended in the playoffs. There’s no way that 2015-16 Bruins team would’ve beaten the Lightning in a playoff series.

  McAvoy could’ve ended up in Arizona. Or worse, he could’ve ended up in Detroit with a division rival!

  So Bruins fans….Say Thank You to Tuukka Rask for Charlie McAvoy!

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  Dec 5, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (40) defends his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

• Kevin Maggiore is the Associate Producer of Felger and Mazz on 98.5 The Sports Hub and a member of the “Boo Hoo Tuukka Crew”. You can connect with Kevin on twitter @MaggioreKevin

  Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!

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