The roster underwent myriad changes throughout the season, and it left the leadership core in tatters. When the dust settled, Pastrnak was left standing.

Sidelined since February with a shoulder injury, McAvoy said he’d heard that Pastrnak was just as good behind the scenes, too. With Marchand, Coyle, and others gone, the Bruins needed Pastrnak to assume a louder leadership role.

Nothing has gone the way the Boston Bruins hoped this year. Top free-agent signing Elias Lindholm has largely underwhelmed. So too has goalie Jeremy Swayman, who has had a hard time in his first season as Boston’s unequivocal starter.