Rumor: Major update on the Charlie McAvoy negotiations.

It sounds like the Boston Bruins and star defenseman Charlie McAvoy are close to reaching a new deal.

According to a breaking news report published just moments ago by TSN National Hockey League insidcer Bob McKenzie, it now appears as though McAvoy is set to join his team at training camp after a very short contract holdout. Additionally McKenzie is reporting that McAvoy is schedule to report to camp today, the third day of training camp thus far for the Bruins, as the two sides appear to be drawing very near to a new deal. 

It does sounds however like McAvoy will have to make some concessions here however so it may not all be positive news today. McKenzie is also reporting that McAvoy was looking for a long-term deal with the Bruins, but it sounds like he is not going to get what he wants. Instead of getting something in the range of 7 years it appears as though the Bruins and McAvoy will come together on a short-term bridge deal that will be similar to the contract signed by Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. 

For those unfamiliar with the Werenski contract, the Blue Jackets signed their RFA stud defenseman to a 3 year deal just a few short days ago. That deal carries a salary cap hit of $5 million per season, which at this point would likely feel like a steal for the Bruins, but I expect McAvoy will probably command a little more money. 

McAvoy has been a standout defenseman on the Boston Bruins blue line since he first joined the organization and no doubt he will look to continue that trend moving forward. Over his first two seasons as a Boston Bruin the talented defenseman has 117 games played, 14 goals and 46 assists for a total of 60 career points thus far. Perhaps most impressive of all however is the fact that McAvoy has a combined plus minus rating of +34 over those two season, an indication that play is often very one sided in the Bruins favor when he hits the ice.

There's no question he's earned a new deal, and no doubt fans in Boston will be thrilled with this news.