Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak Producing Since Return
Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak Producing Since Return
David Pastrnak‘s second season in the National Hockey League hasn’t been ideal, to say the least. Injuries have limited Pastrnak to only 16 games this season. In those 16 games, David Pastrnak has scored five goals and four assists for nine points which would have put him on pace for over 25 goals and over 20 assists. Any team would love to have a player who can score 25 goals as well as 45 points in their second season, especially one like Boston who usually falls flat in that department with the exception of this season.
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In his three games since returning from his most recent injury, David Pastrnak has scored two goals and two assists for four points. In his last five games he has three goals and two assists for five points. Unfortunately for David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins, there is more to the story than just his point totals.
The 19 year old Czech forward had a game-high seven giveaways against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. The giveaways can be attributed to both his age, as well as rust from having missed so much game-action already this season, but regardless of the causes, David Pastrnak will need to rectify the issues he’s dealt with recently.
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“I think that’s a decision as an organization you make along the way here; Can he play here? Can he play on our top lines? Can he play — where do we put him so that he succeeds?” Claude Julien said. “So, we need to do the best thing for the player and that’s what we’re trying to do here. putting him with some good players and sometimes putting him on other lines where he’s got less pressure and probably can, I guess, use his skill level a little bit better.”
“We’re doing our best here to try and give him an opportunity. He’s still 19 years old.”
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Most hockey players don’t make the NHL as a 19 year old, let alone skate in their second season as a 19 year old. David Pastrnak has shown that he has the dynamic ability, speed, and creativity to be a legitimate point producer at the NHL level. He was drafted as a two-way forward as well, meaning he will be expected over time to develop a more effective defensive side to his game. What’s important to remember throughout the process, however, is the fact that David Pastrnak hasn’t even turned 20 years old yet and he needs the time to develop without worrying about a bad game like he had against the Vancouver Canucks.
“It’s been a frustrating year so far for me with the injuries, and all of the time I’ve missed,” David Pastrnak said. “But the good thing is that there’s still time left this season for me to change all that.” It’s good to see that David Pastrnak is ready to turn the page on his unfortunate start to the year, and he’s been able to produce pretty well offensively as mentioned since his return.
Next: Where Does David Pastrnak Fit Best?
“It’s not just bouncing back, but sometimes we make a big thing out of something. He’s 19 years old,” Julien said. “He’s still has a lot he has to get better at, and he will. He’s going to be a great player. Right now there are times where he struggles, and you have to remember that he’s coming off two major injuries.” Julien also said “He’s not even as good as he was last year because of that. He hasn’t even found his stride yet. So that’s where we’re at with David. It’s nothing personal. It’s not necessarily about the way he’s playing. It’s the circumstances too.”
The Boston Bruins know they have a very talented player in David Pastrnak, and despite his recent woes in terms of giveaways and injuries, he’s still producing very effectively on the scoreboard.
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