David Pastrnak's leadership role may become bigger with the possibility of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retiring

The defining attribute that has been long associated with the Boston Bruins over the last 17 years is leadership. When you reflect on what has made the Boston Bruins so successful as a franchise in the last 15 years, the first thing that comes to mind is the team culture that has been built and cultivated by team leaders such as current Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron and former captain Zdeno Chara. With the uncertainty surrounding the 2023-2024 Bruins, there is one player on the current roster who must step up into an even bigger leadership role with the organization.

The player alluded to here is right winger David Pastrňák.

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David Pastrnak will enter the 2023-2024 season as a top 5 winger in the NHL. As we witnessed last season, his scoring ability and his overall skill set makes him must see tv whenever you tune into a Bruins game. The one aspect of Pastrnak that remains to be seen is whether if he will step into an even bigger leadership role beginning this season. As offensively gifted Pastrnak is, what truly will make him an even bigger difference make is his ability to become an even bigger leader for this team for this upcoming season and beyond.

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Pastrnak has played his entire career with the Boston Bruins, making his debut with the B's on January 10th, 2015 on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has witnessed the tremendous locker room culture cultivated by players who were also great leaders such as former captain Zdeno Chara, current captain Patrice Bergeron, alternate captains Brad Marchand and David Krejci. With the influence of the aforementioned players, one would whether if Pastrnak can flourish in a bigger leadership role.

We saw how former Bruin and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Recci's leadership and tutelage of Bergeron did wonder's for him especially in 2011 just as the team prepared for its Stanley Cup Championship run. Recci gave Bergeron encouraging push for him to become more of a vocal leader on that team. Having leaders impacting a superstar especially Bergeron did massive wonders for the organization as its impact is still being felt to this very day. Pastrnak has had that type of influence throughout his entire NHL career so far as that influence and wisdom will be needed as the Bruins prepare for the upcoming season.

There is an air of uncertainty surrounding the Boston Bruins as we approach the halfway mark of the summer. To date, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney and team President Cam Neely still does not know the statuses of Bergeron and Krejci whether they will return and play for the Bruins next season or if one of or both players decide to retire. If Bergeron and Krejci decides to retire, the impact of their decision will certainly be felt throughout the entire organization. With the new additions made to the Bruins for the upcoming season, a superstar player of Pastrnak's caliber growing and evolving into a bigger leadership role would only do wonders for an organization that is still expected to contend for the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season.

Pastrnak's growth as a leader on the Bruins will be critical for the team's success next season. His ability to do so will be huge for this should Bergeron and Krejci decide to hang up their skates for good.