Charlie McAvoy has felt it since Day 1. When he teamed up with Hampus Lindholm following the blue liner's arrival from Anaheim just ahead of the trade deadline, McAvoy could tell instantly how much the newcomer was going to help Boston's back end.
"Just his brain is really what sets him apart from everyone else," said McAvoy. "The way that he's able to think the game both offensively and defensively, putting himself in positions to score, to make plays, to contribute. He sees the ice incredibly well.
"And then defensively, he just always knows where to be, what to do. What really sets him apart is just the way that he's able to think the game. His hockey sense is really second to none."
McAvoy did acknowledge, however, that the duo is still trying to shore up some parts of their game as they continue to get familiar with each other's tendencies after roughly a handful of games together.
"I think we're still early in the process of still trying to gather that and improve on our chemistry," said McAvoy. "I think certainly he wants to have the puck, he wants to make plays. When he's breaking it out, he can be a one-man breakout. So, I think that allows me to certainly support on the other side of the ice.
"I think regardless of who's out there, we trust each other to make the plays. So, a lot of that is just read and react. But my job to always be underneath the play, up until the point where I'm joining.
"He's a tremendous defenseman. He sees those plays and he's going to make them. I guess with more time I'm starting to realize when and where I can definitely join."
