While talks are currently in a holding pattern between the Bruins and winger David Pastrnak on a new deal, CSN New England’s Joe Haggerty notes that some progress had been made previously on a long-term deal. He reports that the contract that had been discussed would be slightly less in both money and term than the contract extension that winger Brad Marchand inked last September. For perspective, that deal was eight years and $49MM for a cap hit of $6.25MM.
Haggerty adds that Pastrnak may be waiting for Edmonton RFA center Leon Draisaitl to sign his next contract as his side sees Draisaitl as a potential comparable player although it wouldn’t be surprising to see his contract come in at a higher AAV than Marchand’s. While a team could technically ink Pastrnak to an offer sheet, it’s very unlikely that it would happen and even if it did, the Bruins have more than enough cap space to match (they sit with a little more than $10MM in room at the moment per CapFriendly). This could be a negotiation that takes a little while longer to drag out, something that has become more common in recent years with prominent players coming off their entry-level deals.
Other free agency notes:
- Canucks GM Jim Benning told Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province that “talks are progressing” between the team and RFA center Bo Horvat. The team is interested in avoiding a bridge deal and are discussing long-term pacts although Kuzma reports that Vancouver has balked at giving the 22-year-old a maximum eight years in term. Horvat is coming off a career year where he led the Canucks in scoring and will likely command at least $5MM per season, especially if his new deal buys out some years of UFA eligibility.
- After not being tendered a qualifying offer from the Stars back in June, unrestricted free agent defenseman Nick Ebert has inked a one-year deal with HC Slovan Bratislava, the KHL team announced (link in Slovak). The 23-year-old had 25 points in 68 games with AHL Texas in 2016-17, nearly equalling his production from the previous two seasons combined.
Boston won’t match an offer sheet for Draisaitl, but I think everyone can infer you meant Pastrnak I hope.
It has since been changed so don’t yell at me for reading it wrong.
What is Pastrnak looking at then? 7/42?
Pastrnak has had one 30 goal season & one 70 point season. He didn’t tally 20 goals or 30 points in his other 2 seasons. He doesn’t kill penalties. One good season doesn’t mean you get a huge contract. I look at another young winger in Filip Forsberg of the Preds. Forsberg has two 30 goal seasons & scored 26 in his other season. He doesn’t have a 70 point season, but has two 60+ point seasons and scored 58 in his other season. Forsberg is also one of Nashville’s top penalty killers & has produced in the playoffs. Forsberg signed a 6 year, $36 million contract. He’s a better player than Pastrnak. Using that comparison, Pastrnak should come in at about $5.8 million a season