LOADING

Type to search

  • Pastrnak signing gives the Bruins some much needed buzz

    Daily News

    Pastrnak signing gives the Bruins some much needed buzz

    Tim Rosenthal September 14, 2017
    Share

    Given the depth among the Bruins prospects along with a solid veteran nucleus, GM Don Sweeney was wise to avoid throwing big money this off-season in what was a weak free agent class. The Biggest splash was to come from within.

    After weeks of negotiations with David Pastrnak, that big splash came on Thursday, just as the Bruins were reporting for training camp. The terms: six years, $40 million with an average cap hit of $6.67 million per season.

    “It’s nice to have a full team and to have him back,” said captain Zdeno Chara, who enters his 20th season in the league and 11th in Boston. “It’s always nice to have players not missing more time whether it’s injuries or negotiations. I’m sure everyone is happy and I’m sure David is happy to have security [with his new deal].”

    Fresh off a career high 34-goal, 70-point season in 2016-17, Pastrnak was due for a raise, and he got a nice one at that. Though it’s not his original asking price at $8 million for eight years, the talks eventually went from status quo to a point where Pastrnak’s camp – led by agent J.P. Barry – and the Bruins found common ground.

    The deal makes Pastrnak – who also has lockout-proof money and a no-trade clause – the fourth highest paid Bruin behind Tuukka Rask ($7 million per year), David Krejci ($7.25 million) and Patrice Bergeron ($6.875 million) for 2017-18.

    “I think it’s important to acknowledge the work that J.P. did with his crew with David [Pastrnak] as well as our crew with the support of ownership,” Sweeney added. “To me, I always said that we were going to find a deal.”

    In this instance, patience paid off. From Pastrnak’s camp waiting to find a better deal after Leon Draisaitl signed his eight-year extension in Edmonton to Sweeney and company staying patient, the timing might have seemed long – especially over the last few weeks – but all that mattered was that the sides came to an agreement.

    “There wasn’t a deadline – we didn’t look at it that way,” Sweeney said. “I just think the work paid off from both sides to find a landing spot, and I know that both sides are extremely happy.”

    Sure, Pastrnak might have had only one breakthrough season, but his progression over his three seasons in the Bruins organization – despite trips to Providence and an injury sustained in his first two years – has made him a bonafide threat every time he touches the puck. His new contract gives the Bruins Sweeney flexibility in both the short and long term.

    Instead of having a distraction loom over the Black and Gold during the preseason, head coach Bruce Cassidy and company can now get to business. And for sure they’re all happy for the soon to be fourth-year pro.

    “Well, we’re a better team with him in the lineup, I think that’s obvious, so it will be great to see him,” said Cassidy, who will take part in his first Bruins training camp as the head man.
    “He’s a Bruin, he truly wants to be a Bruin and now he’s a Bruin and ready to go.”

    “He’s a hell of a player,” said David Backes, who is entering his second year with the Black and Gold. “Having him in the lineup makes us a lot more potent; makes our lineup a lot more deep. We can spread out a little more of our scoring and, you know, he’s going to garner a lot more attention after the year he had last year, and hopefully the rest of us can pick up on some of that open space that can be created by him with a lot of that attention.”

    With the Patriots season well underway, the Red Sox in a late season chase for a playoff spot and the Celtics’ big offseason acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, the Bruins needed to do something just to create their own positive press in Boston. It took longer than expected, but the Pastrnak signing accomplished that feat.

    Facebook Comments
    Tags:
    Tim Rosenthal

    Tim Rosenthal serves as the Managing Editor of Bruins Daily. He started contributing videos to the site in 2010 before fully coming on board during the Bruins' Stanley Cup run in 2011. His bylines over the last decade have been featured on Boston.com, FoxSports.com, College Hockey News, Patch and Inside Hockey. You can follow Tim on Twitter @_TimRosenthal.

      1

    You Might also Like

    Leave a Comment