NHL Rumors: A David Pastrnak trade is not out of the question
Anthony Scultore
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The Boston Bruins are making a lot of news this offseason. It started with key players needing surgery, and then a stunning firing of head coach Bruce Cassidy.
Throw in the uncertainty of Patrice Bergeron’s future regarding retirement and things couldn’t get more precarious, right?
On Tuesday, Fluto Shinzawa of the Athletic set off a firestorm in the NHL Rumors Mill with a report on David Pastrnak.
NHL Rumors: David Pastrnak extension or trade?
Pastrnak, 26, will be a UFA next season and may be looking to hit the open market.
According to Shinzawa, a source told him that Pastrnak didn’t like the way GM Don Sweeney treated his two close friends, Torey Krug and David Krejci. It was also reported that an agent suggested his next contract would be for max term (8 years) and in the neighborhood of $68 million ($8.5M AAV).
Elliotte Friedman followed up on the report from the Athletic with some additional insights.
“Reached out to agent JP Barry, who spoke today with Pastrnak and GM Don Sweeney,” Friedman noted. “Plan is for everyone to sit down in early July to discuss an extension. Barry says premature to jump to conclusions beforehand. Boston priority is to sign Pastrnak, but if he won’t sign — then they’d definitely have to move him. We will see how it all plays out.”
This season was another strong campaign for ‘Pasta’ as he’s affectionately known by his teammates. He recored 40 goals and and 77 points in 72 regular-season games. He added 6 points in 7 playoff contests.
Pastrnak is wrapping up a 6-year deal signed in 2017-18 with an AAV of $6.667 million.
If the Bruins and Pastrnak can’t work out an extension in July, it’s unlikely he will be traded this offseason. Both camps are in no rush to get this done quickly and have up until next season’s trade deadline to work things out.
What the Bruins don’t want to do is wait beyond that point to make a decision.
Plus, maybe hiring the right coach and bringing back Bergeron puts a positive outlook on things for Pastrnak to stay longterm in Boston.
