The Boston Bruins’ season is over, the locker room’s half-empty, and Charlie McAvoy, still reeling from a brutal year, steps up to the mic. The guy’s been through it—shoulder injury, hospital stay with a serious, watching his best buds get traded. The NHL trade vortex sent Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and others packing. Injuries to McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm left the leadership core in shambles. All was talked about at Warrior Ice Arena on Thursday, during the Bruins’ annual breakup day. And guess what? McAvoy already had a name that he thinks kept the Boston Bruins ship from sinking through the chaos.
The Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, limping to a 10-game losing streak. When McAvoy was asked about the one bright spot in Boston’s gloomy 2024-25 campaign, he didn’t hesitate. “I thought David [Pastrnak] was the best player in the NHL down the stretch,” McAvoy said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who’s seen it all. “And I don’t think I’m stepping out of line saying that.” Bold move, Charlie, putting Pasta above legends like Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. But is he wrong?
McAvoy’s praise wasn’t just locker-room loyalty. Pastrnak’s numbers back it up. The Czech winger played all 82 games, racking up 106 points (43 goals, 63 assists), good for fourth in the NHL. In the final 10 games, with Boston’s roster gutted, he lit up the scoreboard with 9 goals and 13 assists. On a team that ranked 27th in goals scored, Pastrnak was a one-man highlight reel, leading the second-highest scorer, Morgan Geekie, by a whopping 49 points. “He led by example,” McAvoy said, per the Boston Globe. “He was more vocal than he’s normally been. It was a joy to watch every night.”
Charlie McAvoy: “I thought David [Pastrnak] was the best player in the NHL down the stretch. And I don’t think I’m stepping out of line saying that.” pic.twitter.com/yyX6UPpZFr
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 17, 2025
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