Daily Bean: Neely Talks Captaincy; Bruins Fan Fest; Batherson, Gauthier Extension Reports

The Boston Bruins are inching closer and closer to training camp and the regular season, and the countdown to opening night is down to 42 days. 

In Bruins news, Cam Neely spoke yesterday during the NESN/WEEI Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon and addressed the vacant captaincy. Neely joined other front office executives from Boston sports teams, including the Red Sox, Revolution, Legacy, and Fleet. 

The Bruins also announced plans for the 2026 Fan Fest: Road to Opening Night, which takes place in two cities across Massachusetts and Rhode Island the weekend before training camp opens. 

Elsewhere around the league, there are reports about both Drake Batherson’s and Cutter Gauthier’s extensions. The Senators forward wants a long-term contract, and the Ducks forward reportedly turned down a four-year, eight-figure deal. There is another offseason grade, what Sheldon Keefe’s third year means for him, and an outlook on what the new Red Wings GM is inheriting. 

There was also a small trade made, and the Islanders released the two finalists for their fan-voted alternate jersey. 

Happy Tuesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

NEELY: Cam Neely joined the NESN/WEEI Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon yesterday. He weighed in on the vacant captaincy in Boston, saying “I don’t know if you’d necessarily need to have a guy unless there is that one guy that really stands out.” 

WEEI Video (Part One)/(Part Two): Here are the two parts of the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon GM Panel, featuring Neely, Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow, Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo, Legacy general manager Domè Guasch, and Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer.

Boston Bruins: Fan Fest is back. Yesterday, the Bruins announced the schedule and details for the 2026 Road to Opening Night as they look to continue growing the game throughout New England. Admission is free, and the stops include special guest appearances, interactive games, photo ops, and more. 

• Saturday, September 12: Warwick, RI (Rocky Point State Park)
• Sunday, September 13: Worcester, MA (Worcester Common)

Both days will run from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The Bruins will be hosting a Patrice Bergeron look-alike contest during the Warwick stop. 

Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators and Drake Batherson are not close in extension talks. Bruce Garrioch reported that the 28-year-old is seeking a maximum-term extension, but the last day to sign an eight-year deal is September 15 before the CBA kicks in the next day. Batherson just passed the 30-goal mark for the first time and finished the 2025-26 season with 71 points (33-38–71). 

The latest on Drake Batherson. Still a significant gap with Sept 15 deadline looming. I report here he is looking for maximum term. https://t.co/Lx4hQbwrE9

NHLTradeRumors.me: The Flyers have made the summer tough for Pat Verbeek and the Anaheim Ducks. Yesterday, NHL Network Radio correspondent Paul Shaheen reported that Cutter Gauthier rejected a four-year, $52 million ($13M AAV) contract from the Ducks. Gauthier led the Ducks with 41 goals and 69 points (41-28–69) last season. 

Word today from reliable sources that Anaheim has offered RFA Cutter Gauthier $13M at four years.

Rejected by Gauthier and his agent Kurt Overhardt.

In the moment, per @PuckPedia , the Ducks are just over $9M in salary cap.

Suffice to say, if/when Gauthier signs, the Ducks…

New Jersey Hockey Now: It’s Sheldon Keefe’s third year in New Jersey. He has his own staff now, so that excuse is gone. James Nichols writes that it’s a make-or-break year for Keefe, including what counts as enough progress for the coach. 

Florida Hockey Now: The Maple Leafs made a decent amount of moves this summer. It started with John Chayka taking over as GM. Then they hired Jim Hiller as their new coach. They’re running back the old Panthers’ goalie tandem with Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz. George Richards has offseason grades for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Detroit Hockey Now: Whoever the Red Wings hire to replace Steve Yzerman will be swimming in cap space. The Red Wings have the most cap space currently, and with a decent amount of money coming off the books after this season, they may have close to $40 million next summer. 

TSN: The Hurricanes and Sabres made a small trade yesterday. The Hurricanes acquired 6-foot-2 Michigan Tech winger Stiven Sardarian for future considerations. He led Michigan Tech during the 2025-26 season with 44 points (12-32–44). The Russian winger spent his first two NCAA seasons with the University of New Hampshire. 

New York Islanders (via 𝕏): The Islanders are moving on to Round 3 of their 2027-28 third jersey vote. The vote begins today at 12:00 PM, closes on Thursday at 5:00 PM, and the winning concept will be revealed in the days following the final round. 

The results are in!

Check out the jersey concepts moving to Round 3 of the 27-28 Third Jersey Fan Vote⬇️

Friday, September 11: Rookie Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sun, Sept 13-Mon, Sept 14: Prospects Showcase – LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, NY

Wednesday, September 16: Training Camp opens – Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA

Sunday, September 20: First preseason game – TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tuesday, September 29: Home opener – TD Garden, Boston, MA

The post Daily Bean: Neely Talks Captaincy; Bruins Fan Fest; Batherson, Gauthier Extension Reports appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.