Coming off a career year, David Pastrnak is ready to fill a bigger spot in the leadership group following the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

BRIGHTON, Mass. – David Pastrnak is back stateside.

The Boston Bruins winger flew back to the United States on Sunday and joined the team for a captain’s practice on Monday before training camp opens Wednesday.

Pastrnak spent the summer in his native Czechia with his girlfriend, Rebecca Rohlsson, and their infant daughter, Freya Ivy, who was born in June.

“It’s been amazing obviously, [turns] your life around,” Pastrnak said. “It’s been great to have the time to spend with family this summer. Call it the perfect timing, and we’ve been enjoying every day so far.”

In addition to the changes in his family life, the reigning Hart Trophy finalist returns to a Bruins roster that has experienced great change as well. The talk all offseason has been about the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, two longtime leaders in the Bruins organization.

After just one day back with the team, Pastrnak said their departures haven’t hit him yet, but he knows they will soon.

“I’m gonna miss them a lot, but [it leaves] opportunity for [other] guys, and there’s some spots to grab,” Pastrnak said. “For us as a team, it should get exciting to take a step forward and continue what these two guys built.”

Pastrnak is coming off a career year. He led the team with 113 points and 61 goals, ranking top three in the NHL in each category. Now, the 27-year-old Pastrnak will be relied on to lead the team in the locker room, not just on the score sheet.

The Bruins have yet to announce their next captain, and while Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy appear to be the favorites, Pastrnak will still play a large role in the leadership group.

The biggest leadership aspect Pastrnak wants to pass down: Checking in on his teammates.

“You’re here everyday, so these guys are your second family,” Pastrnak said. “They say, ‘Sun comes out everyday,’ but [it] can’t be [a] great day for you every day. You help each other out, you’re there for each other, and it’s definitely something that ‘Bergy’ wouldn’t miss a day to check up on a guy, and help him out with whatever.”

With the Centennial season fast approaching, and a summer reflecting the departure of two franchise legends fading into the rearview, a new era in Bruins history is here.