David Pastrnak is hoping to sign a contract to remain with the Boston Bruins.
The 26-year-old forward is entering the final season of a six-year, $40 million contract ($6.67 million average annual value) he signed with Boston on Sept 14, 2017, and can become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
“Yeah, of course,” Pastrnak said Friday of remaining with Boston. “This city is where I got the chance to become the player I am, the human being I am. And the Boston organization has been an unbelievable part of it. I came here as a kid and now I am a man so [it] makes me really happy. A lot of great memories. I’ve said it many times, I love it here. It’s an honor to wear this jersey.”
Pastrnak led the Bruins in goals (40) and was second in points (77) last season, behind forward Brad Marchand (80). He has had at least 34 goals and 70 points in five of the past six seasons, and his 215 goals since 2016-17 are fifth in the NHL.
“Obviously we love it here. This is our home,” Pastrnak said. “This is where I became a man. Spent unbelievable years with (partner) Rebecca and we are really happy here. Obviously my focus is moving forward to be ready for Game 1 (of the regular season). We are going to be missing some key players and I know I have to be on my game from the get-go.
“I still have the whole season. We still have the whole season to figure things out. … There has been a couple of changes. We got a new coach (Jim Montgomery). … These things take time sometimes. I am focusing to be ready and to help the team win especially at the beginning of the season where it’s going to be extremely tough on us.”
The Bruins will start the season without Marchand, who had hip surgery in May. He skated for the first time Friday but is not expected to play until late November. They also will be without defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk, who each had shoulder surgery in June. McAvoy is expected to return in December and Grzelcyk in November.
Boston will open the season at the Washington Capitals on Oct. 12.
“[Marchand and McAvoy] are obviously two key players for our team,” Pastrnak said. “… We have a great core of leadership so I am pretty sure we will be ready from Game 1. It’s going to be challenging. … The earlier you get through these challenges the better you get as a team and grow together.”
Selected by Boston in the first round (No. 25) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Pastrnak has 504 points (240 goals, 264 assists) in 510 regular-season games and 74 points (30 goals, 44 assists) in 70 Stanley Cup Playoffs. games.
“The team wants to get it done and has been very vocal about that,” Marchand said Thursday of a new contract for Pastrnak. “It’s something that we obviously want to happen, but we don’t need to add pressure. … If he wants to bring it up, that’s kind of how you leave it. … If not, give him the space. We all have to go through it. They’re stressful times. You don’t need guys adding to that stress level. … We just need him to score goals for us, we don’t need to throw him off.”
Pastrnak said he was happy that forward David Krejci will return to the Bruins. Krejci played last season in his native Czech Republic after playing 15 seasons with Boston (2006-21). The two helped Czechia finish third at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland in May. Pastrnak had 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in seven games, and Krejci had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 10 games.
“I must say it’s been a highlight of my last season, the joy he brought me back to playing hockey again with the World Championship (which) is what I was kind of looking for when I went there this year and it happened,” Pastrnak said. “We are obviously close friends and I’m really happy that he came back.”
The Bruins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games in the Eastern Conference First Round last season. They have qualified for the playoffs in six straight seasons but have not advanced past the second round since losing to the St. Louis Blues in seven games in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
“I know what I can do in this league when I am 100 percent healthy and that is just my biggest focus,” Pastrnak said. “Injuries are a part of the game. … I had a great summer, I’m healthy, so hopefully that will stick the whole season.”
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