BOSTON — The Bruins will play the remainder of the season without a captain, and until Charlie McAvoy returns, only David Pastrnak will wear a letter on his jersey. The team plans to wait until next season to assess their leadership structure, possibly with a new roster and coach, before deciding who will take on the captaincy after Brad Marchand’s trade on Friday.
When they do make the decision, they’ll have some interesting options to consider for both captain and alternate captain roles:
Captain Candidates:
- David Pastrnak – While it’s still early, since the trade, Pastrnak has made a noticeable effort to step up as a leader. As the Bruins’ top player and arguably their most famous face, he could be a natural fit for the captaincy.
- Charlie McAvoy – McAvoy has openly expressed his desire to be a strong leader. When Patrice Bergeron retired, McAvoy made a promise to take good care of the team’s legacy. “I’ll do everything I can to take good care of it,” he said. He takes that responsibility seriously, feeling that he’s learned a lot from past leaders and is ready to lead the team.
Charlie McAvoy- Nobody – While unlikely, it’s possible the Bruins might choose not to appoint a captain if neither McAvoy nor Pastrnak is deemed ready. In that case, they could opt for three alternate captains again next year.
- Pastrnak & McAvoy – NHL rules typically allow only one captain, but the Bruins could follow the example set by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017 and have one captain at home and another on the road, as the Bruins did briefly in the 1980s with Ray Bourque and Rick Middleton. While this is unlikely, it’s still a possibility if they want both players to share leadership.
- Brad Marchand – Though it seems improbable, Marchand hasn’t ruled out a return to the team. Aside from Pastrnak and McAvoy, he’s the only other player who could realistically take on the role of captain.
Alternate Captain Candidates:
If Marchand doesn’t return, Pastrnak and McAvoy are likely to wear letters, but who will join them?
- Hampus Lindholm – Lindholm is a solid choice for an alternate. As one of the team’s top players, assuming he returns at full strength, he’ll play a key role on defense and could wear the letter. He wore an “A” with the Anaheim Ducks previously.
- Elias Lindholm – Although Lindholm has faced some struggles recently, he’s still highly respected in the locker room and has experience wearing an “A” in Calgary. He could be a good fit if he finds his form.
- Pavel Zacha – Zacha has become one of the Bruins’ most reliable two-way players, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill. While his quieter personality doesn’t always align with traditional leadership qualities, he’s well-respected by his teammates.
- Morgan Geekie or Nikita Zadorov – Both are longshots, but Geekie has earned respect from the Bruins, especially after the team chose not to trade him at the deadline. Zadorov, with his strong personality and desire to lead, could also be in the mix for an “A” if he steps up and seizes the opportunity.
- Someone New – If the Bruins decide to add a veteran player in the offseason, it’s possible that new addition could take on an alternate captain role to provide additional leadership experience.
As the Bruins’ leadership landscape shifts, plenty of intriguing possibilities lie ahead. The team’s decisions this offseason will shape the future of their leadership for years to come.