Sometimes we may forget that he is only 18-years-old, but Boston’s David Pastrnak has proved he can play alongside top six forwards like David Krejci and Milan Lucic.
In his past two games, Pastrnak has found himself in a young goal streak with a pair of goals against Philadelphia on Saturday and Tampa Bay on Tuesday. If you thought general manager Peter Chiarelli’s decision on Pastrnak was onerous in the beginning of the season, consider what it is like today. And time is not on his side.
The Bruins must decide before Saturday if Pastrnak will become a Bruins mainstay and keep the rookie on their NHL roster this season. Boston takes on Columbus that Saturday at the TD Garden, which means some anxious Bruins fans will be on the lookout for number 88.
Eight games into his stint with the Bruins, Pastrnak has 5 points (4 goals, 1 assist). The rookie’s presence has been felt in Boston’s last three games, as the Lucic-Krejci-Pastrnak tandem continues to make positive strides in the scoring department. It is just a small dose of what may be to come if Pastrnak plays his ninth game with the Bruins. If the Bruins do so, they will wash away the first year of Pastrnak’s entry-level contract.
Chiarellie has been seeking a right side, first line replacement since Jarome Iginla departed Boston over the summer. He had yet to make a deal to fill that heavy void until Pastrnak was mixed into the equation. He has seemed to fit seamlessly with fellow Czech Krejci and the brawny Lucic.
The rookie is dong the right things. Period.
He has been working his way along the boards nicely, especially near the half boards where he has been able to generate solid scoring chances with his speed and quick decision making. Pastrnak has also been seen driving to the net with poise, as seen on Tuesday against Tampa Bay when the teen powered his way past Lightning netminder Ben Bishop to net his fourth of the year.
Not only is Pastrnak beginning to bud, but Lucic too has seemed to find a jump in his skate lately since the teen joined the Krejci line. Lucic was pacing well alongside the elusive Pastrnak and has had nothing but kind words for the kid. He is even vouching for Pastrnak to remain with the NHL squad. Pastrnak’s performance on the ice and the approval of his line mates seems to be making Chiarellie’s job that much more easy. Lucic seems to believe the rookie is a mainstay, but it will all come down to Chiarellie by Saturday.
Boston has yet to make any noise surrounding a potential trade to acquire a first line, right shot winger to replace Iginla all season. Pastrnak may have been the intended solution all along. His last three games have been eye opening nonetheless, but the question will remain if the rookie can consistently play to his current magnitude.
If Pastrnak plays tonight against the surging New York Rangers, he will have solidified his stature with the NHL squad. The Rangers would be a great challenge for Pastrnak and company on the first forward line, as a veteran like Rick Nash leads the Rangers number one line. It is plausible that Chiarellie with make the call to start Pastrnak tonight, and it would make many Bruins fans, and players, extremely pleased. His value and potential is there, but only Chiarellie and company will determine if the rookie will be a Bruins mainstay.