Will The Boston Bruins Keep David Pastrnak?
Jan 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing
David Pastrnak(88) clears the puck while defended by New Jersey Devils left wing Michael Cammalleri (23) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak had a fantastic game on Saturday. He netted two goals against the Philadelphia Flyers and was a second away from his first NHL hat trick. The last time of the member of the Bruins had an eighteen year old scorer put in multiple goals was Patrice Bergeron back in 2004 against the Sabres. (I’d say that’s very good company.) Pastrnak is currently the youngest player in either the NHL or the AHL, and has a productive season in the AHL to date.
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The young Czech forward has shown his abilities during his brief stay in Boston. He has sound instincts when it comes to getting good position and moving the puck. While he’s still undersized for a forward (176lbs), he was fearless in ability to take on larger players in order to get in position for shots. He had decent defensive instincts as well, and likely saved the Bruins from a second Flyers goal. Saturday’s First Star of the Game performance saw him put in sixteen minutes worth of top six time, and he held up well on the pressure. It looks like Pastrnak can do the job, and it was part of the reason forward Seth Griffith got sent back down to the AHL after the game.
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The Boston Bruins are currently contemplating keeping the eighteen year old in Boston. The Bruins can use him for two more games before they have to make the hard call. Will they burn a year off his entry-level contract so they continue to use him for the rest of the 2014-15 season? If the Bruins are serious about making a run for the playoffs, Pastrnak might be part of that plan. The problem is that the Bruins have gone all in before and it hasn’t played out well for them. The B’s doubled down on Jarome Iginla last season, and the repercussions of that call are still haunting the Bruins when it comes to their current cap troubles.
It’s a big gamble. The kid has the skills, and just might help the B’s recover this season. He’s got the poise and the talent to make a go of it as is in the NHL. So, now it’s up to Peter Chiarelli. Can he redeem himself in the eyes of the fan base by making the right call to help save the season? We’ll certainly find out in the next few games.