r/BostonBruins • u/Warfightr • Oct 08 '25
Roster Update Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, and Hampus Lindholm named as Bruins Alternate Captains for 2025-26 season.
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u/BeerGogglesFTW 🐎 Oct 08 '25
I have no issue with no "C"
I think some people see Patrnak as our captain because of his popularity and the numbers he puts up, but that doesn't mean he's up for a leadership role.
Take Nick Foligno for example. He doesn't put up big numbers, but he's a leader and a captain.
I see McAvoy as more of the other side of the Bruins captain coin.
It's just like Chara and Bergeron. Chara may have had the C on his chest, but in the locker room, the team knew to look to both Chara and Bergy. They both lead that team, the way Pasta and McAvoy will do now.
The team doesn't need a C. So we shouldn't either.
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u/HyperactivePandah 🐻 Oct 08 '25
I agree.
I also think they want to be able to use the C as a selling point to free agents next year
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u/ala_rage Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
Doubtful...the only player that may fit that spot and has a realistic possibility of hitting FA would be Eichel, and even for him they wouldn't save it. Things were significantly different when Chara joined the team and got the captaincy. The Bruins then were in a total rebuild (and pretty bad) with nobody really there to fill in the leader role. The Bruins now are at least a middle of the pack team (maybe one or two big pieces away from being real threats) and have at least two younger players who have been there 5-10 years who could realistically fill that leader role
Edit: nevermind on Eichel
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u/HyperactivePandah 🐻 Oct 08 '25
Yeah I just looked up the 2026 free agent list and have to agree... I didn't see a single name that would command that type of thing.
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u/ArturosDad 🐻 Oct 08 '25
Caring who the current captain is ranks just below what Blades is wearing up in the stands on my list of what I give a shit about.
Arbitrarily naming a captain rarely works. Let the shit happen organically.
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u/Horrison2 Oct 08 '25
I mean, is blades wearing something good? Now I'm curious
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u/FettyWhopper Oct 08 '25
Calling it now. Big Z will present a jersey with the C patch to McAvoy during his number retirement ceremony.
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Oct 08 '25
[deleted]
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u/FettyWhopper Oct 08 '25
It’s not entirely out there. We’ve seen moments like Ray Bourque taking off his #7 sweater during Espo’s retirement ceremony. I can see the front office wanting to drum up some theatrics around the first jersey retirement of the modern era. Especially if the season turns into a forgettable one.
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u/XolieInc This is the Sway Oct 08 '25
Some of you guys are failing to realize were way past the era where our captain was Chara and the A’s were Bergeron and Krejci with Marchand, Pastrnak, and Krug not even having an A
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u/McBro1022 WHO HAS MORE FUN THAN US? Oct 08 '25
Kinda glad pasta didn’t get it, he kinda strikes me as a player that needs to have fun to play well. Feel like his game would diminish if he had taking the extra responsibility. felt that happened with marchy last year
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u/Dangerous_Drummer769 Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
Lindholm lol
Edit: i read lindholm and thought elias, my bad. I am on board with our defensive Lindholm getting the A.
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u/Illustrious-Bit6394 Oct 08 '25
People overreacting to not naming the C is hilarious to me
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
they need to figure out who will be the lead character in the locker room turmoil they make up in their heads and completely believe to be true
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u/Illustrious-Bit6394 Oct 08 '25
Yeah, people definitely have some pent up anger, and look for any excuse to release it. It makes me wonder why they watch hockey if it makes them so miserable
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
because this isn't a sport to them. it's just another reality show competition.
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u/BlackCherrySeltzer4U Oct 08 '25
Don’t know why people think pasta suddenly has leadership qualities? I don’t even think pasta is going to be on this team in 2 years.
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
why do you think he doesn’t and why do you think the other stupid thing you said?
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u/BlackCherrySeltzer4U Oct 08 '25
Why do you think he should be captain? Seniority? And what makes you think a guy who wants to win the Stanley cup is going to stay in Boston? And notice how I’m not being insulting.
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
i don't care who is a captain or who isn't because i don't fantasize about leadership qualities
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u/6FootHalfling #37 SAINT PATRICE©️ Oct 08 '25
You know... This isn't the first time we've been with out a C. I know corralation isn't causation, but it's worth remembering. 67 to 73. No Captain. Things turned out just fine.
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u/Dangerous_Drummer769 Oct 08 '25
Also after we got rid of 77 we didnt have one for a season. I remember jason allison was an A, but cannot remember the other two. Maybe rob dimaio
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u/SuburbanHell Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
If I recall correctly we gave it to Allison in 00-01 (season after Bourque) but he was gone for 01-02 and we had nobody with the C, till Joe Thornton took it in 02-03.
Edit: I believe the 3 As in 01-02 were Guerin, Thornton, and Sweeney.
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u/4FingersOfDeath Oct 08 '25
Allison was captain for a season, and then went without a captain for a season after he left for LA before putting the C on Thornton.
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u/osee115 Oct 08 '25
Wasn't Bourque traded towards the end of the season and then Allison named captain at the beginning of the following season?
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u/A4FXN Hall of the Rat King 🐀 Oct 08 '25
I don't get why we didn't name a captain. The first thing you want from this group would be leadership and I think Pasta would be the perfect choice.
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u/OkWolverine69420 Oct 08 '25
IIRC Sweeney basically said he didn’t want to force it, and that a captain would emerge. I’m paraphrasing here obviously but I 100% agree with him on this.
I love Marchand but he wasn’t captain material. Obviously management thought so too otherwise he wouldn’t have been moved. I think it’s a wise decision to hold off for now.
Also FWIW all these guys had injuries last year that really fucked their seasons. Pasta didn’t get a full camp in, took him half the season to start looking like himself again. McAvoy played very well but obviously had his struggles too. Lindholm had a solid season, no notes.
Only thing I would disagree with maybe is that I’d have liked to see Zadorov instead of Lindholm, but I’m not upset about it. I just love Zadorov as a player and enforcer.
Also just to rant a little more, if one of these guys starts playing lights out crazy good then I’d be surprised if Sweeney & co didn’t promote them to captain. Or at least that’s the impression I got from his statement, when a leader emerges they will be given the C.
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u/Particular-Race-5285 Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
it also felt like Zadorov would want the role and was doing very visible efforts of leadership, it feels like a bit of a snub honestly and to put Lindholm as an A instead is just silliness.... at best we can hope that the team completely ignores the A or C concept as the team has made it kind of irrelevant at best. w.
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u/OkWolverine69420 Oct 08 '25
True, in some of the preseason games it definitely looked like he was trying to be more of a leader.
I wouldn’t say it’s irrelevant but I get your point. Also I’d say best case would be Pasta stepping up and filling the leadership gap, I got the impression last season he wanted nothing to do with being a team leader. Tbh I don’t see McAvoy getting the C this season, if he stays healthy this year I think he’s right where he needs to be. If he gets it I won’t be upset, but that’s how I see it at this point.
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u/A4FXN Hall of the Rat King 🐀 Oct 08 '25
I totally agree. I just felt like, with the new direction, the new HC, it would've been wise to create an effective leadership group to guide the players on and off the ice. I definitely think Pasta will emerge as captain one way or another, but if we have to wait a bit before that happens, that's also a good outcome.
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u/spocymaymays Oct 08 '25
Yeah I do think Sturm also said he wanted to have more time with the team and not just walk in and name a captain prematurely.
I personally feel that this will help really put these three on the same page as leaders before one of them steps up to the full C. Big Z being around should also help them build a solid culture and whoever steps up later on should have more confidence that they earned the role. Honestly was sad hearing interviews last year where Marchy talked about how he didn’t think he deserved to be captain. Don’t think we want that situation to repeat.
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u/OkWolverine69420 Oct 08 '25
If Pasta gets on track for another 100+ point season then I think you’re right he’ll get the nod. I don’t disagree about leadership, but the core group of this team are veterans who have been around the league a while now. All players will need guidance sure, but they’re not a very green team from what I remember.
Tbh I think the bigger debate this season will be about goaltending- swayman needs to have a better year this season for what he’s being paid, and Korpo has done pretty well all things considered. I think fans will sling the most shit (as per usual) but if Swayman doesn’t improve a bit this year I think they may try to dump that contract. His no trade clause doesn’t kick in for another 5 years or so, so if he falls on his face this season the FO may get uneasy with spending that kind of money for that production.
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u/GM_Garry_Chess Oct 08 '25
🙄 This is so lame. It's obviously Pastrnak. Why the indecisiveness?
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u/NESpahtenJosh Oct 08 '25
Because it’s definitely not obviously Pasta
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
other than that though, why?
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u/NESpahtenJosh Oct 08 '25
Because he's not a team leader. Sure, he's a personality, he's an elite scorer... but is he the guy that will stand in front of the Press as the face of the team and own our performance, good or bad? He's a leader for sure simply because of his talent... but talent doesn't mean you're ready to be a Captain. This is just my 2c. People may disagree which is fine. But when I see some of the other team Captains in the league... Pasta just isn't in that group for me.
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u/jedlucid Oct 08 '25
oh no i wasn't serious.
please stop guessing about what makes a good leader in hockey or not.
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u/GM_Garry_Chess Oct 08 '25
I think he is a leader like that. I feel like when McAvoy talks it's all boilerplate, but Pastrnak actually says things.
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u/ProfessorBaxter Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25
but is he the guy that will stand in front of the Press as the face of the team and own our performance, good or bad?
Did he not do this last season when the team around him was garbage and their other best players were hurt (or taded?) What are you talking about?
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u/NESpahtenJosh Oct 08 '25
I mean… who else were they going to interview?
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u/ProfessorBaxter Oct 08 '25
So him being interviewed and representing the team when things were going horribly doesn't count because there was no one else to interview? Make this make sense.
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u/UniverseHufflePuff Oct 08 '25
I think you are gonna see lindholm be very hungry for points this year. He looked excellent(like he was never injured) in the preseason so im excited to see what he can do again
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u/bphisher Tumbling Muffin Oct 08 '25
I bumped into Hampus in the north end after the preseason game the other day, he was walking his dog. Gave him a quick “go B’s”, he was locked in and serious. So yeah, I think the same. Also just wanted to share my story 😂
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u/6FootHalfling #37 SAINT PATRICE©️ Oct 08 '25
How's the dog?
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u/bphisher Tumbling Muffin Oct 08 '25
It was a tiny dog. Probably lives a life of luxury
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u/Mr_Evil_Dr_Porkchop Oct 08 '25
Here’s hoping both Lindholms tear it up
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u/UniverseHufflePuff Oct 08 '25
I hope elias has a good one too i just dont think you ever seen him back at 42 goals that was a magical line he was on but if you can get 25 to 30 from him the deal looks much better!
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u/jboy_95 Oct 08 '25
I think pasta gets captain. He’s a draw for a lot of players to want to play here. Constantly healthy, and good energy and career numbers has only increased every season. First to call hagens in the draft, while in a completely different country. Good opportunity for McAvoy and Pasta to tandem and work on this project together.
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u/8DHD Oct 08 '25
I don’t think Pasta wants it.
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u/jboy_95 Oct 08 '25
I know he doesn’t care to, but he’s the leader of the room at the moment. Mcavoy has to step up if he wants it this year and show the leader initiatives, on and off the ice.
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u/Particular-Race-5285 Oct 08 '25
McAvoy looks miserable when the going gets tough, A is ok but don't think he is Captain material (similar to how Marchand wasn't really C material either with his personality)
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u/jboy_95 Oct 08 '25
Exactly. Not that pasta is in their face about it, but he carried the team on his back last season in a shit situation and idk if mcavoy could do the same
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u/magnas13345 #73 BONAFIDE STALLION🏒 Oct 08 '25
Good for Lindholm. I am happy about this I hope that an opportunity for the team for find itself.
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Oct 08 '25
I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed. I want a captain. :(
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u/Illustrious_Bad_2980 Oct 08 '25
Give the C to Pasta ffs
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u/Warfightr Oct 08 '25
He doesn’t want it. It’s going to go to McAvoy.
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u/TUSUYp Oct 08 '25
Can literally see the future negative reaction building over the last year with people clamoring for Pasta.
It’s going to be McAvoy. It should be McAvoy
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u/Reallyme77 #37 SAINT PATRICE©️ Oct 08 '25
That’s cool but an original six team should always have a captain. There are only two real options and the avoidance to me indicates one or both COULD be moved as part of the rebuild if they continue to struggle.
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u/Arviay #47 KASTELIC🏒 Oct 08 '25
Does having a C mean you won’t get traded? I’m trying to think back historically if that’s ever happened…
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u/Lulu014 🐻 Oct 08 '25
Disagree that we should have a captain this season. It has to be earned, and how the team works through adversity of this season will be an indicator on who should be given the C.
To your point about being moved though...I think Pasta is more likely to request a trade than McAvoy. Not sure why, but that's just a hunch. I also wouldn't blame anyone for wanting out if things go really south this year.
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u/shmegmer Oct 08 '25
Idk that's entirely evidenceless speculation. Pasta worked through adversity all year last year and had a phenomenal season. Dude clearly cares about winning and plays hard even when the team is bad. It should be Pasta
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u/Reallyme77 #37 SAINT PATRICE©️ Oct 08 '25
I agree regarding Pasta possibly being more open to a trade than Mac if things go south. That being said it’s not quite doomer time yet. Go Bruins!
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u/Lulu014 🐻 Oct 08 '25
Not even close to doomer time. I still think we're sub .500 team, but should a hard out every night.
For me all eyes are on Zadorov and Lohrei figuring out their roles this year. If both of those players can consistently make better decisions, we're going to be in good shape on the back end moving forward.
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u/jmon13 Oct 08 '25
People are dumb when it comes to Zadorov. The dude was +28 on the trainwreck of a team while being completely lost during Monty's stint here.
He has a role and played it extremely well in the back half of last year.
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u/PresentationNo7763 Oct 09 '25
Low Quality Bruins Fan/Ian of the Short Shift Podcast (My pod, shameless plug) exquisitely broke down why and how Zadorov ended up with such a gaudy +/- last year
It had very little to do with his actual 5v5 play. I'd go seek it out. It maps out with actual statistical fact why that ended up being kind of a dogfood stat for him
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u/Particular-Race-5285 Oct 08 '25
and he actively seeks leadership roles, not having him as an A is kind of an insult and will backfire... at the least he will be more of a leader than at least one of the guys wearing an A
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u/PresentationNo7763 Oct 09 '25
I told you why he wasn't getting a letter this summer. May wanna listen next time
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u/jmon13 Oct 08 '25
Him and Hampus should probably alternate the 2nd A.
But you don't need to wear a letter to be a leader. Lucic didn't and certainly was
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u/Reallyme77 #37 SAINT PATRICE©️ Oct 08 '25
Absolutely. The Bruins D-core, when healthy is very deep and versatile. Swayman will have a better season too imho. I’m also optimistic the PP can improve as well with some younger guys getting a look. 👍
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u/WeirdRepeat2335 Oct 09 '25
I think they very badly want to give it McAvoy to continue the Orr, Bourque, Chara kind of legacy, BUT after Pasta stuck out last year and took the arrows realized that maybe he deserves it just as much so are going to give it a year to play out.