We made it; the Boston Bruins play hockey this month. 

They still do not have a captain, but Marco Sturm weighed in last week on the Bruins Beat podcast with New England Hockey Journal’s Evan Marinofsky. Sturm, who has seen quite a few different styles of leadership throughout his playing days, knows the next Bruins leader does not have to be like the ones that came before him. 

Also, a Bruins’ 2021 draft pick who was let go in August found a new home in North America.

Elsewhere around the league, there are expansion reports out of Houston. The mayor is backing Houston’s bid and pitching its case over Austin. Cale Makar spoke on his contract yesterday, saying he prioritized an eight-year deal. His deal also has a ripple effect on the market, as the Hurricanes still have a defenseman looking for a big payday. Bill Guerin was interviewed by a Minnesota radio station yesterday, and they talked about the Quinn Hughes contract negotiations.  

There are also contract talks up in Montreal, a bad history of September trades in Pittsburgh, and a new (old) jersey number for Viktor Arvidsson. 

Happy Tuesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

CAPTAINCY: Marco Sturm weighed in on the vacant captaincy. The bar is high in Boston, and for good reason; the guys who preceded the next captain have set the standard. Sturm looked at David Pastrnak specifically and said his leadership style is closer to Alex Ovechkin’s than Zdeno Chara’s and Patrice Bergeron’s. 

Bruins on CLNS (video via YouTube): Check out the full interview on Bruins Beat here.

Wheeling Nailers (via 𝕏): 2021 fourth-round pick Philip Svedebäck signed a one-year ECHL contract. Svedebäck played four years at Providence College but was left unsigned by the Bruins after the August 15 deadline. He wanted to stay in North America and will start his pro career two steps below the NHL. 

The Wheeling Nailers have signed goaltender Philip Svedebäck for the 2026-27 season!

Svedebäck will begin his professional career with the Nailers following four years of college hockey at Providence College.

Welcome to Wheeling, Philip!

📰: https://t.co/iyiuOdridM… pic.twitter.com/Cyo8lPC8Bh

— Wheeling Nailers (@WheelingNailers) August 31, 2026

NHL News & National Hockey Now

The Sporting News: Here’s some expansion news. John Whitmire, mayor of Houston, is backing NHL expansion and revealed that his office has been in discussions with relevant parties about the 33rd franchise. He also pitched Houston’s case over Austin, saying that the city is a great partner with the current sports teams in town. 

Kevin Weekes (via 𝕏): ESPN’s Kevin Weekes also hinted at Houston news on the horizon. 

Colorado Hockey Now: September 15 is the last day to extend a player for eight years. That was a deadline for Cale Makar, who signed an 8x$20.4M extension on Friday. Makar said he “never really wavered off the term,” and his extension provides the front office with stability as they continue to build around their core. 

Carolina Hockey Now: The Hurricanes still have to sign Alexander Nikishin. However, Cale Makar’s recent contract just shifted the market for defensemen. Nikishin spoke at the end of July, talking about the rising cap and ultimately saying he wants “more” than $8M per year. Rachel Barkley has more on what Makar’s contract means for the 24-year-old defenseman. 

KFAN (via YouTube): Bill Guerin joined a Minnesota radio station yesterday and talked about Quinn Hughes. Dan Barreiro jokingly pressured him to pledge to sign Hughes or resign as POHO before (and during) their talk about contract negotiations.

Guerin said he understands the concern and that negotiations are always tough. He wants Hughes in Minnesota, and he has a great relationship with him and his agent. 

Sportsnet: The Montreal Canadiens have some business to get to before the season starts. Arber Xhekaj is still unsigned, but Nick Suzuki just called him an “important piece” on and off the ice. They could also get ahead on Zachary Bolduc’s extension, and Eric Engels says he’d “be surprised if it wasn’t done before Sept. 16.”

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: If history tells you anything, the Penguins won’t be making a trade in September. If they do, it might not be all that beneficial to the club. Dan Kingerski went through the Penguins’ September trades since 1984, and they have an awful track record. 

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings revealed jersey numbers for their offseason acquisitions yesterday. If you are looking for Viktor Arvidsson on the ice next season, he will be wearing No. 33. Arvidsson wore No. 33 in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Edmonton before switching to No. 71 in Boston.

Bruins Offseason Schedule

Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sun, Sept 13-Mon, Sept 14: Prospects Showcase – LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, NY

Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA

FOLLOW @JACKSTUDLEY13 ON 𝕏  | FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON 𝕏