After Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney came out definitively saying the team would not trade David Pastrnak, CEO Charlie Jacobs had a little more detail to share on the ongoing negotiations. According to Ty Anderson of WEEI, Jacobs reiterated on the radio today the fact that they were not going to trade their young forward, and wanted to sign him to a long-term deal of six or more years. Jacobs directly addressed the rumor from earlier this week:
I think by virtue of it being the middle of August, some of the writers may feel compelled and come up with something interesting to sell a paper perhaps. I wanted to ask Brian Lawton who his source was, but I’m not sure he’d give it up.
As we saw earlier today with the eight-year contract signed by Leon Draisaitl, and examined at length this week, long-term deals for key players often happen late into the summer or even early fall. While training camp is set to start in a few weeks, the team still has plenty of time to work out a contract before the start of the season is in jeopardy.
Pastrnak is coming off a 70-point season and will be looking directly at Draisaitl’s contract in negotiations. Though he may not be able to secure the same $68MM deal, an average salary approaching $8MM per season is not out of the question. The Bruins currently have just over $10MM in cap space to fit him in, but can’t hamstring themselves with an overpayment.
The Bruins will not pay Pastrnak $8 million a season. That would make him the highest paid player on the team & there is no way you can justify that. Bergeron & Marchand are the Bruins two best players & it isn’t close. Last season, Pastrnak had 34 goals & 70 points. He didn’t reach 20 goals or 30 points in his previous two seasons. He also doesn’t kill penalties. He’s also had durability issues One very good year doesn’t mean you deserve a huge contract. I like Pastrnak, but he doesn’t deserve more than Bergeron & Marchand.