One of the biggest Bruins storylines entering this season was the organization’s decision to not name a captain, instead choosing to give an ‘A’ to David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm initially. Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov have also worn an ‘A’ at times this season due to injuries.
The captain discussion has remained prevalent among media and fans, but it’s pretty much been a non-story in the Boston dressing room, a perspective that goalie Jeremy Swayman shared Wednesday morning on The Greg Hill Show. Listen to the full interview above.
“It doesn't feel like we are [captain-less],” Swayman said. “It's really special, actually, to have guys that have stepped up, even without letters. And that's something, again, that I really haven't paid attention to, because I feel like we have so many leaders in that room that are so capable, and it's allowed voices to be heard that necessarily wouldn't be heard. And our culture has really stepped up in that aspect of, anyone that's wearing the jersey has a say. That's something that we take really seriously and is really ringing true this year.”
Zadorov echoed that same sentiment when he talked to WEEI.com on Thanksgiving while delivering pies to Boston homeless shelters.
“Well yeah, talking point for you guys,” Zadorov said of the captaincy discussion. “We have 23 leaders in our room. Every guy deserves to wear a ‘C’ in there. Obviously, we have guys who've been here for a longer time, and they have different roles as well. But you know what? It will naturally figure out itself. Somebody at some point is gonna wear the ‘C’ and you guys are gonna be happy.”
The Bruins have won three in a row after Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. They are now 18-13-0 on the season and tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the division lead in points with 36, while they’re technically third in the division on points percentage (.581).
Swayman credited the Bruins’ “next-man-up mentality” for the team being able to survive an injury-plagued stretch as they waited for David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy to return. Pastrnak returned on Tuesday, and McAvoy could be back by the end of this week.
“I think just the next-man-up mentality has been a big piece,” Swayman said. “No matter who's on the ice for us, we know that they're going to get the job done, play their role the right way, and do it with maximum effort. That's all we ask from each other. It's a good feeling being in this locker and looking to the left and right of you and knowing that every guy is going to give their all game in and game out. So, that's a contagious feeling. And again, the locker room’s in a good spot right now, and we just want to keep growing that momentum.”