David Pastrnak UNFOCUSED on taking over Bruins captaincy following trade of Brad Marchand to Panthers

Brad Marchand was named the captain of the Boston Bruins ahead of the 2023-24 season with David Pastrnak being one of the assistant captains.

David Pastrnak UNFOCUSED on taking over Bruins captaincy following trade of Brad Marchand to Panthers

Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak (Image via NESN)

The NHL 2024-25 trade deadline produced a major shock as the Boston Bruins traded away Brad Marchand. With his absence from the team, the captaincy role is currently vacant. Marchand’s former trade partner David Pastrnak is unfocused about this role though.

Marchand was named the captain of the Bruins organization ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season. The Canadian international replaced Patrice Bergeron as the team captain and led the team out while wearing the Captain’s ‘C’ on this sweater.

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On Friday night, GM Don Sweeney and his management team traded away Marchand to one of their division rivals, the Florida Panthers. This move brought an end to a long stay in Boston for Marchand, who joined the team as a draft pick in 2006.

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Pastrnak is currently one of the assistant captains of the team. With Marchand no more in the locker room, he will take on the role of the leader of the team. However, the 28-year-old is unfocused on taking over the role of captain and is just focused on the remaining games of the season.

I have not thought about it, honestly. I got the ‘A.’ Obviously, the role has changed a little bit. You lead more, but you’re just trying to stay yourself. Right now, we have 17 games left, and that’s my main focus.

David Pastrnak told the reporters

GM Don Sweeney had mentioned that any changes to captaincy will not take place this season. For the remainder of the season, the team will play without a captain. Pastrnak, though, could be in line to become the new captain in the next season.

David Pastrnak was left ‘sad’ to see Brad Marchand and other Bruins stars being traded away

Several Boston Bruins players and fans were stunned when the news of Brad Marchand and some other top stars being traded away became official. David Pastrnak, who had formed a strong bond with Marchand, was left ’emotional’ and ‘sad’ to see his forward partner being traded away.

David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand
David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand (Image via Sportsnet)

Apart from Marchand, the Bruins also traded away the likes of the team has also traded away Charlie Coyle, Justin Brazeau, Brando Carlo, and Trent Frederic. This left Pastrnak as one of the top remaining pieces of the organization.

Speaking with the reporters after the deadline day, the Czech international claimed that he thought it was all a “dream”.

It’s been very tough, emotional, sad… Personally, I lost three really close friends… You are still a professional hockey player, you have a job to do… We are not gonna go away. We are gonna keep battling until the last game and see where it takes us.

David Pastrnak said

This season, the Bruins have struggled for consistency on the ice. A poor run form earlier in the season saw coach Jim Montgomery being relieved of his duties. Ahead of their game on Tuesday night, against the Florida Panthers, the Bruins have a 29-28-8 record and sit 7th in the Atlantic Division standings with 66 points in 65 games.