Bruins' David Pastrnak: Set to play on Bergeron line

Pastrnak is slated to start the regular season on the Bruins' top line, along with center Patrice Bergeron and left winger Brad Marchand, the Boston Herald reports. "As far as Pastrnak is concerned, we want to see a guy take another step forward," coach Claude Julien noted Monday. "He's still a young player. A 20-year-old is still young in this league, but he's gotten stronger, he's gotten better, he's gotten more experienced. I can tell by his play choices: Less 'hope' plays and more stronger plays. That comes with time."

Analysis:

Pastrnak, who turned 20 in May, thus appears poised for a breakout season, particularly if he continues to play with such high-quality linemates. It's an assignment Pastrnak is more than capable of running with, given his speed and puck skills. He'll just need to minimize the occasional lapses in puck management he's displayed earlier in his career in order to do so. With a prominent role in the B's offense on tap out of the gate this season, doubling his 2015-16 numbers (15 goals and 26 points in 51 games) seems an attainable level of production.