This past season marked the first time since 2017 that the Boston Bruins failed to secure a playoff berth. And with the upcoming season just four weeks away, the Bruins are ready to change that this season. But they will need to address an issue first.
With Brad Marchand being traded partway through the last season, the Bruins have yet to appoint a captain. While Marchand remained their captain for a long time, recent reports suggest that the Bruins might be ready to end their 20-year-old tradition in the next season.
Are the Boston Bruins Ready To Start the Season Without a Captain?
Since Patrice Bergeron’s retirement in 2023, the Bruins have lacked a stable captain. Brad Marchand shouldered the role since the 2023-24 season, but his mid-season trade to the Florida Panthers earlier this year forced Boston to finish the year without a player wearing the ‘C.’
While names like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy have what it takes to lead the Bruins, reports suggest that the franchise might be ready to start the upcoming season with a leader. This will be the first time since the 2001-02 season that the Bruins will enter a season without a captain.
With then-captain Jason Allison being traded before the season started, the Bruins started their 2001-02 season without anyone wearing the “C.” This season, Pastrnak and McAvoy are expected to lead the Bruins under shared leadership.
Pastrnak mentioned, “Yeah, it’s different.” He continued, “But at the same time, if you look at the big picture, it’s the same. It’s always the leadership in this organization that is not one guy; it’s always been a group decision, a group of leaders.”
With the Bruins missing the playoffs last season, this approach of not having a captain seems more crucial than ever. “Maybe instead of the rinse-repeat of what it’s been for a long time, we have to try and build it back up,” McAvoy said.
He continued, “It’s a completely different group; it’s different individuals, so it’s going to look different, but mostly it’s just a great opportunity, really, more than anything, to have that thrust on us to be responsible for it.” McAvoy mentioned that the roster is excited about this fact. “We’re not seeing it as more of a daunting task; it’s something that we’re just honored to be trusted with.”
With head coach Jim Montgomery fired in November and half a dozen key pieces traded, including Marchand right before the trade deadline, the Bruins had a disappointing season by all measures.
They ended up dead last in the Atlantic Division with just 76 points. Not to mention, McAvoy was also injured after the 4 Nations Face-Off.
With McAvoy on the shelf, Pastrnak had the biggest chance to prove himself. He finished the season tied for third in overall regular-season points with Leon Draisaitl, each recording 106.
Pastrnak mentioned that the expectations have always been there for the Bruins to perform, whether there is a captain or not. “You play for an Original Six; they are very high, and they will always be here.”
“So, whoever is going to dress up in October, it’s going to be a competitive team, and that’s the one message we’re going to have,” he said. Drawing a line in the sand, he added that the Bruins won’t accept what happened last season.