Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak will be staying with the organization for a very long time as they awarded him an eight-year, $90 million deal on Thursday.
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As reported by various sources, Number 88’s New Deal is worth an average of $11.25 million annually. Pastrnak could have become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he clinches a six-year, $40 million deal.
“I wasn’t worried too much. I forgot about it when I went to the rink, but sometimes I thought about it at home. […] I’m older, I don’t make these decisions alone anymore, I have a family. It’s very different from last time,” he said at a press conference.
Pastrnak has been a key cog in the Bruins’ success in recent years. In 2022-2023 he had 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points in 60 games. The Czech was the co-recipient of the Maurice-Richard Trophy with Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin in 2019-2020 thanks to 48 goals.
That makes him one of the most prolific goalscoring units in the league alongside two other longtime Bruins, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Since he is contractually bound to Boston until 2031, he wants to end his career there if possible.
“These are the guys I grew up with in the NHL. I learned from them every day, Pastrnak explained. Playing your entire career with one team is an incredible achievement and that’s what I had in mind when I started these negotiations.
Since his debut, the winger has scored 282 goals in 570 competitions and has three seasons of 40 or more goals for the Bruins, the 2022-23 overall leaders.
Close to the record
The $90 million total contract is the second largest ever offered to a European player and the sixth largest in National Hockey League history. Swede Erik Karlsson is the only one ahead of the Czech who settled with the San Jose Sharks for eight years and $92 million in 2019.
However, four hockey players have already accepted offers of $100 million or more. Connor McDavid ($100 million for 8 years), Nathan MacKinnon ($100.8 million for 8 years) and Sidney Crosby ($104.4 million for 12 years) have all signed lucrative contracts in the past decade.
However, the award for the greatest pact in history goes to defense attorney Shea Weber. In 2012, the future Montreal Canadiens captain signed a monster 14-year, $110 million contract with the Nashville Predators.