The Bruins have signed forward Marc McLaughlin to a two-year entry-level contract, the team announced Tuesday. The deal begins this season and carries an annual NHL cap hit of $883,750.
McLaughlin, 22, was an undrafted college free agent who just wrapped up his senior season at Boston College, where he was team captain the last two years.
McLaughlin, a Billerica native, was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team in February and played in two games in Beijing.
McLaughlin forced his way onto NHL radars with the improvements he made throughout his four years at BC. After posting 20 points in 73 games in his first two seasons, he registered 56 in 57 over the last two. This year, he tied for fifth nationally in goals with 21 in 33 games.
The strongest part of McLaughlin’s game has always been his defense. He was named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward last season and was a runner-up for the same award this year. He is a natural center, but has also played some right wing. He is listed at 6 feet, 210 pounds.
McLaughlin, who attended Bruins development camp last summer, was considered one of the top college free agents this year. According to a source, he received interest from at least a dozen other NHL teams.
McLaughlin could begin his pro career with AHL Providence, but his defensive foundation and offensive improvement give him a shot to crack the bottom six at the NHL level at some point.
The Bruins may not be done on the college free-agent market either. They have also shown interest in Providence College junior center Parker Ford, who had 27 points in 38 games while playing alongside Bruins draft pick Riley Duran and defenseman Mike Callahan, whom Boston signed on Monday after acquiring his rights last month.
Minnesota center Ben Meyers is considered the top college free agent, but his market will take longer to shake out given that the Golden Gophers are NCAA Tournament-bound unlike BC or Providence.
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