Cam Neely says the Bruins may not need a designated captain unless one player clearly rises above the rest as training camp looms just 42 days away. Fans get to reconnect with the team at the return of Fan Fest in two Massachusetts and Rhode Island cities, with free admission and special appearances. Meanwhile, contract drama unfolds: Batherson and Ottawa are stuck far apart on an extension deadline; Gauthier turned down Anaheim’s four-year offer, pushing the Ducks’ cap space into new territory; the Hurricanes and Sabres swapped prospects for future assets; and Islanders fans narrow down their alternate jersey vote ahead of the season.

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The Boston Bruins are taking a bold, captain-less approach heading into the new season — and it’s working. Without a designated leader since March 2025, they still made the playoffs last year thanks to a strong veteran core led by David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, with Hampus Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov stepping up as vocal leaders. President Cam Neely says they won’t rush to name a captain unless one player truly stands out — and head coach Marco Sturm confirms the team thrived without one, crediting a cohesive, shared leadership culture. Pastrnak himself credits the collective effort, highlighting how players of all ages stepped up. The Bruins are confident their current structure will carry them far — whether or not they ever name a captain.

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Jeremy Swayman’s NHL goalie ranking just jumped back into the top five, landing at number five after a stellar 2024-25 season where he posted 31 wins, a .908 save percentage, and a 2.71 GAA — even finishing third in Vezina Trophy voting. He also led the league in goals saved above expected, proving his elite play isn’t just luck. After a rough 2023-24 campaign, Swayman turned things around by leading Team USA to its first World Championship gold since 1933 — including a shutout in the final — calling it a pivotal moment of confidence. Back with the Bruins, he’s focused on shutting down one-on-one threats and building on the team’s young talent, even as they fell in the playoffs — with Boston’s expectations still soaring.

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