The Boston Bruins are heading into training camp next week with more than a few loose ends still hanging in the air.
Roster decisions remain unsettled, some prospects are still trying to find their place, and there’s also the big question of whether the team will finally name a captain before the season opens Sept. 29 against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.
If the Bruins do make that call, the choice appears to be between David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. Boston went through last season without a captain after Brad Marchand was traded to the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline in March of 2025, and the debate over whether to fill that vacancy now is still very much alive.
McAvoy made it clear Wednesday that he wouldn’t view it as a problem if the organization went another direction.
“No, no. I mean look, we’ve been here a long time the two of us. Dave’s going to be I think a Hall of Famer, I think he’ll be retired here, he’s done so much…
“I don’t think there would be any friction.”
Second-year head coach Marco Sturm addressed the captaincy situation at the Bruins Foundation Golf Tournament in Plymouth, Mass., according to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe. Sturm said the team is still working through it, and he pointed to the value of getting everyone together before a decision is made.
“We’re still in the process. It’s been a lot of chatting, a lot of communication, but I think it’s always better when everyone comes back, and back in Boston, back in the same place, and sit down at one table,” said Sturm.
That process could continue this week.
There was also a notable development involving Matthew Poitras. He remains unsigned, but he was on the ice Thursday morning at Warrior Ice Arena for captains’ practice with the prospects. His status is still unresolved, but his presence there is at least a positive sign.
Poitras’ former Guelph Storm teammate, Braeden Bowman, recently signed a six-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights carrying a $3.4 million AAV. His salary is $1 million, with a $2.4 million signing bonus in 2026-27 and Years 2-6 at a $3.4 million AAV.
Whether that has any impact on Poitras’ situation remains to be seen. For now, the Bruins prospect being back on the ice is the part worth watching.
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Have A Veteran Scoring Option Worth Watching
Barry Melrose, the longtime hockey analyst and former player and coach, has died at 70, a loss felt across the sport by anyone who watched him break down the game for years. Around the same time, a veteran scoring name suddenly entered the conversation in a way that could matter for teams looking to add offense, with the move creating a fresh bit of intrigue for clubs that still have room to chase help.
For Boston, the appeal is obvious. The Bruins could always use another experienced finisher if the fit and price make sense, and this is the kind of situation worth monitoring closely as the market takes shape. Reports suggest the player in question may have a preference for the East Coast, but nothing has been settled yet, which leaves the door open and the speculation very much alive. [Read more 🡒]
Charlie McAvoy Finally Addressed The Play That Got Him Suspended
Charlie McAvoy is still sorting through the play that turned into a major early-season storyline for the Bruins, and the defenseman finally offered his side of it after the NHLs Department of Player Safety handed down a six-game suspension. The incident came after a playoff sequence against Buffalo, when McAvoy was assessed a match penalty for slashing Sabres forward Zach Benson, a moment that quickly became a flashpoint because of how heated and dangerous it looked in real time.
McAvoy framed the exchange as a response to what he saw as a dangerous slew-footing play, but he also acknowledged the reaction went too far. He said a broken hand played a role in why he did not square off with Benson then and there, adding another layer to a situation that already carried discipline, frustration and a lot of second-guessing for Boston heading into the new season. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Are Suddenly Tied To A Veteran Scorer With Camp Looming
With camp looming and the Bruins still sorting out their roster for the 2026-27 season, the team has found itself connected to a familiar veteran scorer. Elliotte Friedman has mentioned interest in bringing Chris Kreider back to Boston, and while nothing has been finalized, the possibility adds another layer to a forward group that still appears to be in flux as decisions draw closer.
A move like that would not just be about adding another name to the lineup, either. It could force the Bruins to rework how their bottom half of the forward group fits together, and one of the more notable ripple effects would be on players pushing for everyday roles. For a team trying to lock in its roster ahead of the season, the timing of this kind of speculation makes the next few weeks worth watching. [Read more 🡒]