Boston Bruins: Why David Pastrnak deal is a win-win

The negotiations between Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and the front office are finally over. Let’s take a look at the deal that got it done.

Boston Bruins fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After a period of uncertainty, the organization and restricted free agent and budding superstar David Pastrnak reached an agreement on a new contract.

Pastrnak will now be returning to the US from the Czech Republic, and reporting to training camp over the weekend. Crisis averted.

He won't be on the ice tomorrow. He'll be flying into Boston from the Czech Republic https://t.co/JURWXQ85w5
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) September 14, 2017

On Thursday morning, the Bruins and Pastrnak agreed to a 6 year, $40 million contract, with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.667 million. I think all of Bruins nation would agree that this was an absolute steal for Boston, and GM Don Sweeney magically pulled a rabbit out of his hat.

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Looking at the overall NHL salary climate and the comps, it may seem to some like Pastrnak and his camp seem to have agreed to a deal below market value. However, looking at the deal as a whole, it really seems like a true middle ground was reached. Each side can go to bed at night knowing that their future is secure. In my opinion, this deal was a rare win-win.

Where we started and how we got here

The Bruins reportedly offered Pastrnak a 6 or 7 year deal at $36 or $42 million, an AAV of $6 million. Pastrnak and his camp wanted a max term deal of 8 years, closer in numbers to Leon Draisaitl’s deal with the Oilers. For a period of time, Boston Bruins fans were getting nervous because as September was rolling around, the parties weren’t engaging in much dialogue about a deal.

The air was heavy with haunting memories of young players that left Boston in-or-before their prime. Many wondered is the Pastrnak situation would just be another chapter in a long line of unceremonious exits that would leave a hole in the organization’s future.

SUNRISE, FL – FEBRUARY 1: Joe Thornton /

Joe Thornton, 26 years old and captain at the time, traded to the San Jose Sharks midseason. Goes on to win the Hart Trophy that season, and is a first ballot hall-of-famer. Phil Kessel, shipped off to Toronto as an RFA…an elite goal scorer and now a two-time Stanley Cup champion win the Penguins. Tyler Seguin, shipped out of Boston for not fitting into Claude Julien’s system and partying a little too hard, has become one of the league’s most prolific scorers.

Some people, this author included, were starting to lose some faith in the Boston Bruins leadership at the top. For weeks, and with every report from NHL and Bruins insiders that the parties were inching closer, we were sitting collectively on the edge of our seats. Would they reach a deal before training camp? Would the talks drag on into the season? Or worse, would Pastrnak sign with a KHL team. The only thing certain during the whole period of time was the uncertainty of it all.

Lets look at the Comps

Leon Draisaitl, EDM (C) – 8 years, $68 million, $8.5 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2017
Age at contract: 21 years old
Stats season before deal: 29 goals, 48 assists
2016-2017 stats: same

Vladimir Taraseno, STL (RW) – 8 years, $60 million, $7.5 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2015
Age at contract: 23 years old
Stats season before deal: 37 goals, 36 assists
2016-2017 stats: 39 goals, 36 assists

Ryan O’Reilley, BUF (C) – 7 years, $52.5 million, $7.5 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2014
Age at contract: 23
Stats season before deal: 28 goals, 36 assists
2016-2017 stats: 20 goals, 35 assists

Johnny Gaudreau, CGY (LW) – 6 years, $40.5 million, $6.75 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2016
Age at contract: 23 years old
Stats season before deal: 30 goals, 48 assists
2016-2017 stats: 18 goals, 43 assists

Mark Scheifele, WPG (C) – 8 years, $49 million, $6.125 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2016
Age at contract: 23 years old
Stats season before deal: 29 goals, 32 assists
2016-2017 stats: 32 goals, 50 assists

Brad Marchand, BOS (LW) – 8 years, $49 million, $6.125 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2016
Age at contract: 28 years old
Stats season before deal: 37 goals, 42 assists
2016-2017 stats: 39 goals, 46 assists

Brandon Saad, CHI (LW) – 6 years, $36 million, $6 million AAV

Year deal signed: 2015
Age at contract: 23 years old
States season before deal: 23 goals, 29 assists
2016-2017 stats: 24 goals, 29 assists

How this deal stacks up, and why it’s a win-win

OTTAWA, ON – APRIL 21: David Pastrnak /

I am on record saying that in today’s market and based on the comps, I believed Pastrnak should land a deal of 8 years, $56 million, AAV of $7 million. I likened Pastrnak as a player to St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, and used his deal as a starting point for my thoughts. Though, I felt that since Tarasenko was 23 when he signed his deal, and had some extra pro experience and success in Russia, that warranted the extra $500k per season.

As I said previously, most would say this is a huge win for the Bruins, and I would agree. They get a potential superstar player locked in for the next 6 years at only $6.667 million per season. Pastrnak is only 21 years old and has already eclipsed the 30 goal and 70 point mark. The Bruins have worked a deal that will keep a potentially ELITE NHL player on their roster for a considerable bargain, looking at the comps above.

If you look solely at the length and financials of the deal, some might say Pastrnak lost. But here’s where I disagree. His team wanted 8 years, and close to Tarasenko money at $7.5 million AAV. The writing was on the wall that the Bruins were not going to go that high for an AAV. They may have agreed to the 8 year term, but I think from where Boston started in the negotiations, anything over $7 million AAV wasn’t going to materialize.

So what do they do? Rather than lock him in to an 8 year deal at a bargain rate of $6.667 million AAV, his camp reduces the length demand and takes a 6 year deal.

I know what you’re saying: “So he takes less money and less years, yet you say he came out a winner? You’re nuts!” Au contraire, mon frere! It was a brilliant move by the Pastrnak camp.

By signing a 6 year deal rather than continuing to push for an 8 year deal, he will obtain unrestricted free agent status at 27 years of age, rather than 29. So, for arguments sake, let’s say Pastrnak becomes the next Bruins legend, winning 2 Hart Trophies and leading the Bs to 3 Stanley Cups in the next 6 years.

In the end…

I have to applaud the work done by GM Don Sweeney in this case. The Boston Bruins used to continually find themselves in financial shackles due to bad contracts being thrown around willy-nilly. This contract acts to lock in a superstar for a lengthy term, while also not making the team cap-broke. This gives flexibility should the Bruins seek to bring someone in at the deadline to make them a contender, or maybe make a splash in off-season free agency next summer.

Next: Boston Bruins Prospect Challenge: Big decisions ahead for Bruce Cassidy and Don Sweeney

So, what’s next for Donnie? Well, personally, I’m hoping that what I’m hearing out of Boston regarding captain Zdeno Chara is true. My thoughts on Chara have been made clear. So, let’s get that one done, too!

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