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.

Grading the season of Bruins' star winger David Pastrnak, in which he was able to impress despite a down year from the team around him