David Pastrnak’s newfound leadership is critical to Bruins’ future

BOSTON — Moments after David Pastrnak spun from backhand to forehand to thread a perfect no-look pass from the right wing boards to the slot, Pastrnak hustled to the net.

The pass that set up the goal that put the Bruins up 5-2 on the Devils on April 8th in New Jersey gave him his 100th point of the season.

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But that wasn’t why he wanted to retrieve the puck. When he brought it to equipment manager Keith Robinson on the Bruins’ bench, he had specific instructions.

“Save this for Geeks.”

Point No. 100 for Pastrnak was also Goal No. 30 for Morgan Geekie and Pastrnak wanted to make sure his teammate got the keepsake.

There haven’t been a ton of bright spots from the 2024-25 Bruins, who’ll miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

But if the Bruins do right the ship, this might be remembered as the time Pastrnak took a big step in his career.

For most of his first 11 seasons, Pastrnak’s talent was obvious, but on teams with Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Brad Marchand, he came off as the happy-go-lucky kid. He was competitive and he worked hard, but he was more of a leader by example.

But when Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo were all traded, with Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm injured, Pastrnak was the only player left with a letter on his jersey.

In the weeks that followed, he not only played extremely well but willingly assumed a larger leadership role. Before that, it wasn’t clear if that was in him or even if he wanted it. Instead, he seized it.

“He led by being more vocal than he’s normally been. He did everything he could have possibly done to help this team. ...It was a joy to watch every night,” McAvoy said. “ I think he’s to be commended for the way that he handled himself post-deadline. I can’t say enough good things about what Pasta did for this team down the stretch.”

Geekie saw Pastrnak’s subtle behind-the-scenes quiet leadership evolve right in front of him.

“He definitely was the leading charge towards the end of the year. It’s like, somebody’s got to step up,” Geekie said. “Being the longest tenured guy and our best player, it’s something that we definitely appreciate. I think you saw the growth in him as a leader, vocally, especially at that point.”

It was evident from the Bruins president’s box, too.

“I give David a lot of credit. He’s played really well since the deadline. Since he’s been here, he’s had some really good leaders in that locker room, so he could just do his thing,” Cam Neely said. “With the roster stripped down, he really stepped up. It was a little different for him to be a little more vocal.”

The applause for leading the team through a tough month will only last so long. It might earn him the captain’s “C” and a new wave of respect heading into the 2025-26 season.

The chance to play with Pastrnak will be a reason why free agents still look at Boston as an attractive spot after a tough year.

But when training camp starts in the fall, the Bruins will be in the Pastrnak Era. It’s his team now. His leadership won’t be a pleasant surprise. It’ll be expected as they try to climb back into contention.

“I’m confident enough to be one of the leaders and lead the team. We have a lot to do as a core of leaders,” he said. “Moving forward, we still have a good group of core, and we obviously have a lot of work to do ahead. We will put the time together and make sure we become and be a much, much better Boston Bruins.”