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.”

What makes McAvoy’s claim juicy is who he’s sidelining. Ovechkin, having surpassed Gretzky’s goal record, and Crosby, the Penguins’ ageless maestro, are the gold standard of hockey. But David Pastrnak, at 28, carried a broken team on his back. “He did everything he could’ve done,” McAvoy added, and you can feel the respect in his words. Pasta wasn’t just scoring—he was the last leader standing, rallying a demoralized squad.

So, is Pastrnak the NHL’s best this season? McAvoy’s not alone in thinking so. Fans on X are buzzing, with some already sewing the “C” on Pasta’s jersey for next season. The guy’s not just a sniper; he’s a culture-setter. As the Bruins head into a rebuild, McAvoy’s words signal who they’re building around. Sorry, Ovi and Sid—this year, Pasta’s the king in Boston.

Charlie McAvoy opens up about dealing with the aftermath of shoulder injury

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy recently shared the toll of a season-ending shoulder injury sustained during the Four Nations Faceoff in February. Speaking candidly at the team’s break-up day at Warrior Ice Arena, McAvoy described the “mental, emotional, and physical challenges” he faced in the months following the injury, which he said “cost me my season” and, at times, his sanity.

The injury occurred when McAvoy was checked from behind by Finland’s Joel Armia, crashing into a goal post and suffering an AC joint injury in his right shoulder. Despite being visibly shaken, he returned to the game and later played a pivotal role in Team USA’s victory over Canada in Montreal, delivering a strong physical presence. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly. After enduring a grueling travel night between snowy Montreal and Boston, McAvoy developed a severe infection in the injured shoulder. The pain became so intense that sleep was impossible, and the inflammation around the shoulder worsened.

Officials ruled McAvoy out of the game against Sweden and rushed him to Massachusetts General Hospital. Surgery revealed that a more severe shoulder injury compounded the infection than initially diagnosed. The recovery process was tough, testing McAvoy’s resilience. Now, McAvoy is eager to move forward. He plans to begin training this summer and will meet with teammates David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm, along with Bruins management, to strategize ways to restore the team’s winning culture. Despite the ordeal, McAvoy remains optimistic about his future, expressing confidence that the shoulder injury will not prevent him from playing his signature physical style of hockey.

What do you think? Is McAvoy’s return the last piece of the jigsaw that might turn things around for the Bruins as they head into a complete rebuild? Let us know in the comments below.