Boston Bruins Forego Captaincy for 2025-26, McAvoy Pastrnak Lead

The Boston Bruins will enter the 2025-26 NHL season without naming a team captain, continuing a leadership approach that began after trading Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward David Pastrnak will share alternate captain duties, with both players embracing their roles as co-leaders of the team. New head coach Marco Sturm expressed a desire to get to know the players better before making any decision on a captain, emphasizing the significance of the role within the Bruins organization. McAvoy highlighted the importance of leadership beyond letters on the jersey, focusing on building team cohesion amid significant roster changes and turnover since the 2019 Stanley Cup Final team. Both McAvoy and Pastrnak are committed to working together to strengthen the group on and off the ice, viewing the team as their shared responsibility. This leadership strategy reflects a transitional period for the Bruins as they rebuild following missed playoffs and key player departures.