Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron were the last two captains of the Bruins the last 17 years combined

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday morning after 19 seasons with the Boston Bruins. Bergeron's impact on the organization on and off the ice will be felt for many years to come as his leadership will be difficult to replace. As the tributes poured in across social media on the retirement of Bergeron, there was a thought that crept in that became an important question that is worth bringing to the forefront. 

Who is going to be the next captain of the Boston Bruins? 

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Bergeron's retirement means that the Boston Bruins currently do not have a captain for next season. The Bruins have been fortunate in the last 17 years to have had two tremendous captains in Zdeno Chara, who was captain from 2006-2020, and Bergeron who was captain from 2021 until his retirement today. While the Bruins do not have a leadership issue in the locker, they also do not have a captain for next season and beyond.

Who should it be?

Brad Marchand
Marchand has grown and evolved tremendously as a leader in the last four years having learned from Chara and Bergeron. With Bergeron retired, the 35-year-old Marchand is now the longest-tenured player, having been with the Bruins since 2009-10.

Charlie McAvoyMcAvoy is the No. 1 defenseman on the Bruins. He is signed long term (his contract expires in 2030) and has the privilege of having learned from both Chara and Bergeron. Naming the 25-year-old would also fall in line with the history of great Bruins defensmen that were named captain.

David Pastrnak
Arguably the most skilled Bruin, Pastrnak is not exactly a vocal leader in the same way that Bergeron or even Marchand is. But as an on-ice leader, the offensive winger does the job — and more. After all, Pastrnak led the Bruins with 61 goals and 113 points last season. If the Bruins are going to make the playoffs again, "Pasta" will once again be leaned on for his leadership.

NobodyIn the end, the Bruins might decide not to have a captain next season. With or without Bergeron, the leadership group on the Bruins remains strong with the likes of Marchand, McAvoy and Pastrnak in the dressing room. For that reason, maybe this is a decision that can wait a year. One further aspect that will be interesting is that Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney and Bruins President Cam Neely will be deliberate in their decision making while involving Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery in the process of naming the 21st captain in Bruins history.