The Boston Bruins have had an interesting off-season to say the least. After firing head coach Bruce Cassidy to start, they have made some intriguing signings that may have turned them from playoff pretender last year to playoff contender (possibly) this year. However, amid all of those changes, does their star player want out?
According to Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now, the B's and star David Pasternak remain far apart as contract talks are on going. Pastrnak wants Johnathan Heuberdeau money (10.5x8) while the Bruins want to sign him to a Johnny Gaudreau type contract, (9.7x7). With the two sides being far apart in terms of salary and term, an extension is not expected to be in place in time for puck drop next season.
The newly 26-year-old Pastrnak is coming off a season in which he put up 40 goals and 37 assists for a total of 77 points in 72 games, and he's nearly averaging a point-per-game over the course of his career, (510 games played, 504 total points).
Personally, I think he's worth what he's asking at 10.5M on a max term contract, but, I can also understand the reason the Bruins might not want a 10M+ contract on the books. However, if the team is not willing to pay, as we've seen, star players are beginning to walk for what they believe to be better situations.
