The Bruins announced Sunday that David Pastrnak is their new captain, two days before they open the regular season against the Rangers.
He carries an $11,250,000 cap hit, the biggest on the team and 20th in the league.
His last preseason tune-up came Friday in Washington, where he scored on the power play in a 3-2 overtime loss.
That game saw him log 19:31 and put two shots on goal.
The new captain also made news that same day by following Kirill Marchenko on Instagram.
Elliotte Friedman listed the Bruins among the teams interested in the Blue Jackets winger, so the timing of that follow didn't go unnoticed.
So what does the C change in Boston?
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Boston officially names superstar David Pastrnak its new captain
It makes the pecking order official. When your highest-paid player is also the guy fans buy tickets to watch, handing him the letter just puts it in writing.
That's the right call. Waiting another season to name him would have only invited questions nobody in that room needed.
Naming a captain is like handing someone the keys to the family car. Everybody already knew who was driving, and now it's on the registration.
The rest of the core is paid like it, too. Charlie McAvoy carries a $9,500,000 cap hit, eighth among NHL defensemen.
Jeremy Swayman sits at $8,250,000, tied for sixth among goalies.
The roster is still taking shape around them. The Bruins put Alex Steeves on waivers Saturday as they trimmed the group for Monday's deadline.
Marco Sturm's group finished the preseason 2-1-1.
The opening-night Rangers rolled past the Islanders 6-1 on Friday and finished their preseason 2-2-0.
After the Rangers on Tuesday, the Bruins visit Winnipeg on October 2.
That Jets team is still waiting on Connor Hellebuyck, and Friedman doesn't expect him to report for the start of the season.
Pastrnak has the letter now. What he does with it in October will tell the Bruins whether the rest of this roster is built to follow him.
Is David Pastrnak the right choice to wear the C for the Bruins?
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