Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak Feels More Confident
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
More from Causeway Crowd
- Harrison, Toporowski shine in Prospects Challenge
- Obscure former Boston Bruins: Steven Kampfer
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins release full “Historic 100” list ahead of season
- McAvoy, Lucic named to “Historic 100” list over the weekend
The Boston Bruins went into the 2014 draft with one player in mind;
. Luckily for the Bruins front office,
was available at 25th overall. The scouts and Peter Chiarelli certainly evaluated
well because he was one of only two rookies last season to play in 40 or more games. The other rookie was Calder Trophy winner
. Playing at only 18 years old last season,
was not only the youngest player in the NHL, but he was also the youngest player in the AHL. The Bruins did their best to let
earn his legs on North American ice, and he put up points at a torrid pace for someone of his age in the AHL, scoring 11 goals and adding 17 assists for 28 points in 25 games. The Bruins couldn’t keep
down for long, and called him up to the NHL where he continued to show that he was deserving of a full-time role in the NHL.
finished the season with 10 goals and 27 points in 46 games, but was also a valuable player in his own zone. While
skill is clearly on pace to be elite, his size was something of concern for the Bruins management.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Entering last season at roughly 6-foot-0 and 167 pounds, Pastrnak was in serious need of more muscle. Luckily for the Bruins, Pastrnak took this task seriously and has since increased to 181 pounds. Following one of the recent informal Bruins practices, Pastrnak stated “It’s not going to come in one summer, so I’m building.” He went on to say “I’m pretty sure we can get there. I have been working out all summer, I feel pretty strong on the ice, but I don’t want to forget I’m a skilled player.” It’s encouraging to see that Pastrnak is putting so much time and effort into making sure he can benefit the team for the upcoming season, and hopefully years to come.
I feel a little more confident on the ice, and I think it’ll help me. Last year I came here and I didn’t know anyone, now I have some friends here, so it makes it easier all around. I feel really good now.” – David Pastrnak
The Bruins could use a player like Pastrnak to provide much-needed skill and scoring. For a player who was drafted for his two-way game, #88 is showing that he can hang with opposing NHL players and can provide speed and skill, and it all seems effortless for him. The 2015-16 season will be a big stepping stone for David Pastrnak who will aim to show that his first season wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan, and that he really is on pace to be an elite player in the NHL.
Live Feed
Puck Prose
David Pastrnak showed that he can play with both Ryan Spooner and David Krejci last season, and his two-way ability makes him a fit alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand as well. With so much uncertainty in terms of lines going into the season, it will be important to maximize David Pastrnak’s ability, whether that be focusing more on his speed and skill, or two-way game will be up to Claude Julien to decide. It goes without saying that his speed and skill will be more valuable to the team this year, as they need to improve on an abysmal scoring rate from last season.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @FansidedBrandon where we can discuss all things Bruins and sports!