Bruins sign Pastrnak to 8-year, $90M extension
The Boston Bruins signed superstar winger David Pastrnak to an eight-year extension worth $11.25 million per season, the team announced Thursday.
Pastrnak was due to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. His new deal will make him the league's sixth-highest-paid player when it kicks in next season, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin, Auston Matthews, and Erik Karlsson.
The Bruins have gotten immense value from Pastrnak throughout his current contract, which has paid him $6.67 million annually since 2017-18. Over that span, the 26-year-old has collected 223 goals and 461 points in 398 games while adding 70 points in 64 playoff appearances.
Pastrnak has made the most of his platform campaign, ranking second in the NHL this season with 42 goals and fourth with 80 points. Despite negotiating his new contract throughout much of the season, Pastrnak said it was never a distraction.
"I didn't really worry about it much," he said, per Boston.com's Conor Ryan. "I wouldn't say (it) affected me on the ice."
He added: "I'm honored and happy that I'm staying here. I can't wait to get to work."
Pastrnak's new deal includes a full no-move clause in the first five years and a modified clause in the final three, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
The Czechia native will be Boston's highest-paid player next season, eclipsing Charlie McAvoy's $9.5-million mark. After Pastrnak's monster raise, the Bruins have approximately $10.5 million in cap space for 2023-24 with a roster size of 14, according to CapFriendly.
Notable Boston players currently on expiring contracts include Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Trent Frederic, along with recent trade deadline acquisitions Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, and Tyler Bertuzzi.
The Bruins pace the league standings with a whopping 99 points through 60 games and are 13 clear of second place.