Pastrnak’s Contract Keeps Getting Better for Bruins

When David Pastrnak signed his eight-year, $90 million extension with the Boston Bruins in 2023, he instantly became the highest-paid player on the team. Even then, though, the deal felt like a team-friendly one for the Bruins. Fast-forward just three offseasons later and the deal is still getting better with each passing contract extension handed out around the NHL.

Pastrnak’s $11.25 million cap hit per season is still substantial, but the market has moved quickly. In 2023, he was the sixth-highest-paid player in the NHL, with the top player making only $12.6 million in comparison. Entering the 2026-27 season, however, Pastrnak’s cap hit ranks 18th among NHL players and should continue to drop down the list as new players sign long-term extensions.

This is remarkable value for a player who belongs comfortably in top-10 discussions and has a legitimate top-five argument. Few players combine elite goal-scoring with high-end playmaking the way Pastrnak does. His goal-scoring prowess has never been in question, but his playmaking abilities are also finally starting to garner the recognition they deserve, especially after three consecutive seasons of 63-plus assists, including 71 in 2025–26. He has continued to produce goals at an elite rate regardless of his supporting cast.

His value becomes even more impressive when viewed through the lens of the draft. Finding star talent outside the top half of the first round is difficult, and the odds decline sharply as the draft progresses. This isn’t to say that players and even stars can’t be found later down the board, but the odds drop significantly. This is why Pastrnak’s career has been so impressive.

Pastrnak was the 25th selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. It’s hard to say he was a diamond in the rough given that he was still a first-round pick, but it’s also fair to say that few could have expected the career he’s gone on to have. Through 833 regular-season games, he has produced 420 goals and 933 points. In 96 playoff games, he has added 42 goals and 94 points. Those numbers place him among the NHL’s elite and make his contract one of the league’s best bargains, especially in an era of a rapidly rising salary cap.

Pastrnak Has Stanley Cup Aspirations

Pastrnak expressed his desire to win the Stanley Cup following the season, stating he was turning 30 and didn’t want to waste any opportunities. This was essentially a plea to management for some immediate help, and the message was well-received by general manager Don Sweeney. While Sweeney understood and admired Pastrnak’s competitive spirit, he also emphasized that patience with some of the younger players in the lineup could go a long way, much like it did when players such as Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara helped guide Pastrnak early in his career.

The Bruins have one of the best players in their franchise history on one of the best deals in the NHL and the time is now to capitalize on it and build a legitimate contender around him. The past few seasons have been dedicated to improving the roster and prospect pool, so it’s fair to say that the initial steps to getting this done have already been taken. The reality of the situation, though, is that Pastrnak isn’t getting any younger. While he’s still right in the prime of his career, the clock doesn’t stop as the team looks to find young players to fill roles.

At the same time, the Bruins can’t just abandon their entire future to try and win right now. The Bruins tried this method for almost a decade and while it made sense at the time, the decision to pivot into a retool also came at the right time. Now, though, the pieces are in place for the Bruins to make a jump and continue to improve while also giving some of their young talent a chance to shine in the process. It’s a tight line to navigate, but if Pastrnak and the Bruins can do it well, the sky is the limit.