Forward David Pastrnak, 26, is approaching the final season of his six-year, $40 million contract with the Boston Bruins. There’s talk that the Bruins would like to get an extension done and Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic writes that the organization won’t be shy about offering both money and term to keep him in the fold. That said, there are a lot of reasons Pastrnak might be thinking twice with one source saying he doesn’t think there’s any way Pastrnak re-signs if Don Sweeney stays the GM of the team.
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As a UFA following the 2022-23 season, Pastrnak will be free to sign an extension July 13 with the Bruins if he wants to avoid the free-agent market. The Bruins want that to happen but Shinzawa writes that there a multiple reasons for Pastrnak waiting, if he signs at all.
David Pastrnak Boston Bruins
Two of his very close friends in Torey Krug and David Krejci were essentially walked out the door as they chose the next paths in their respective careers. The Bruins did little to stop Krug from jumping to St. Louis and didn’t try to talk Krejci out of relocating his family to Czechia. Pastrnak was watching and there’s thought that still hasn’t sat well.
There’s also chatter that Pastrnak is not a big supporter of the current GM. While Don Sweeney eventually will need a new deal — and there are real questions about whether he’s earned an extension or not — Pastrnak might wait that one out. A source close to Pastrnak wrote The Athletic in a text. “No chance he comes back with Sweens as GM.”
Elliotte Friedman said while on The Jeff Marek Show: “I know there’s been some rumblings today that they’re going to try and trade David Pastrnak, I don’t believe that’s the case, at least not initially. I believe their intention is to sign him.” But, like Shinzawa, Friedman admits that it’s not a lock Pastrnak stays. He adds that if things change and the Bruins get the sense they can’t get a new deal done, they might explore a trade.
How Good Will Boston Be?
The biggest deciding factor for Pastrnak might come when he looks at this Bruins team and asks himself how good they’ll be as he goes through what will likely be the last big contract of his career. If he’s going to lock in and stay with the Bruins, will they be competitive? Are they thinking rebuild?
All of those questions haven’t been answered and may not be until Patrice Bergeron decides if he plans to return, or if the Bruins can go out and add other pieces.
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The post David Pastrnak Trade a Real Possibility, Says Bruins Source appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
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