"He was incredible." Pastrňák has growing respect, is a favorite for the prestigious position

When the highly regarded Patrice Bergeron retired in the summer of 2023, a debate erupted in the overseas media about whether veteran Brad Marchand would take over the captain's armband, or whether Boston would move to a long-term solution and make a star captain in his prime. The favorite for the second option was defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Pastrňák stood on the sidelines. "Giving the armband to Pastrňák would definitely not be a mistake, but M…