Let’s start with the lighter bad news for the Boston Bruins regarding David Pastrnak before we get pessimistic imaginations rolling too much.
Even if the two sides hammer out that much-belabored new contract before training camp officially begins, Pastrnak will reportedly miss at least a small chunk of it. The reasoning is simple, as Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston and others report: Pastrnak is currently still in the Czech Republic.
Now let’s sandwich some positive vibes in between the dread: Johnston and TSN’s Darren Dreger both report that the two sides have been negotiating under a variety of circumstances, including different potential terms for a possible contract. There’s even this to get happy about:
No hard evidence, but a feeling something happens tonight between Bruins and Pastrnak. Obviously, camp opens so makes sense...However...
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017
Dreger giveth and Dreger taketh away, as he followed it up with quite the doomsday scenario:
...the KHL threat is always there. Pastrnak could net $6+ mil based on interest and play in the Olympics.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 13, 2017
*Needs to sit down for a minute.*
The 2018 Winter Olympics present a wrinkle in a lot of these proceedings. As much as the KHL feels like a pure leverage threat during most summers, there really is something to be said for a player potentially making comparable money overseas and getting a chance to represent their country.
And, without official NHL representation, there’s the increased odds of Pastrnak bringing home a medal of some kind.
That’s not a bad Plan B, though you’d think that Pastrnak would still prefer - probably vastly prefer - signing a lengthy deal with the Bruins. It’s difficult to overstate the lure of that security, not to mention playing in the best league in the world.
So, in the grand scheme of things, this should work out for the Bruins, even if they suffer from some sticker shock. Management sure is adding an uncomfortable layer of drama to these proceedings, however.
More Pasta
Brad Marchand wouldn’t mind if Pastrnak became the Bruins’ highest-paid player.