Pastrnak Optimistic as Contract Negotiations Continue

BOSTON - David Pastrnak returned to Warrior Ice Arena and took part in his first Captains' Practice of the fall on Friday morning as he gears up for his ninth season with the Black & Gold. The 26-year-old acknowledged that negotiations with the Bruins regarding a contract extension have been ongoing, but that his focus will remain on preparing for the 2022-23 campaign.
"I know there's been contact between [Bruins general manager Don Sweeney] and my agents, but for me - I always said I haven't had a normal summer in a couple of years - so my biggest thing was to get prepared for the season, physically-wise, mentally-wise," said Pastrnak.
"The motivation this year was to the roof compared to the last couple of years. I had a hip surgery, even last year was tough. So, finally this summer I've been able to work really hard and focus a little bit on my game. And that was my main focus. And obviously we have agents to worry about this stuff and players kind of stay focused."

Pastrnak, who is set to enter the final season of a six-year contract (worth an annual NHL cap hit of $6.67 million) that he signed in September 2017, said he is optimistic that a new deal will be agreed upon at some point.
"Yeah, of course," Pastrnak said when asked if he was hopeful to come to an agreement with the Bruins. "This city is where I got the chance to become the player I am and to become the human being I am. The Boston organization has played an unbelievable part in it. I came here as a kid, and now I'm a man, you know? So, I'm extremely happy. A lot of great memories. And as I said many times, I love it here and it's an honor to wear the jersey."
When asked further if it was a priority for him to stay in Boston, Pastrnak added, "Yeah, obviously, we love it here. You know, this is our home. This is where I become a man. Spent unbelievable years here with [girlfriend] Rebecca and we are really happy here."
With a full season still left on his contract, the two-time All-Star is remaining patient and keeping his attention solely on the team, especially with key players like Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy expected to miss at least the first several weeks of the regular season.
"We have still a whole season to figure things out with Sweens. And I would say there's been a couple of changes, you know, we got a new coach and obviously, a lot of guys are excited to get back to work," said Pastrnak, who finished last season with 40 goals and 77 points in 72 games. "These things take time sometimes, you know, and I always said I'm focusing to be ready and to help the team win, especially at the beginning of the season, knowing it's going to be extremely tough on us.
"My focus is moving forward to be ready for Game 1. Obviously, we're going to be missing some key players and I know I have to be on my game from the get-go. So that's my biggest focus. Just got here [Thursday night], so settling back in from the summer and I just can't wait to get going and play some hockey."

More news and notes from Pastrnak's meeting with the media at Warrior:

On his cryptic selfie video over the summer at the World Championships asking David Krejci if he would return to Boston…
"I didn't even tell him that I will film it. We were just walking, so he had no clue that I'm doing it. So, it's not like I prepared him that I will do it. I did film the video without him knowing and then I asked him, obviously, if I can post it and he was fine with that. But obviously he didn't say much because I just think that's Krejci. You guys know.
"But yeah, I definitely didn't expect the reaction after the video was posted. So, it was kind of funny because I don't think he was anywhere near a decision on what he was going to do."

On how he convinced Krejci to come back to the Bruins…
"A couple of apples [assists] at the Worlds, you know, passing a couple empty netters, let him win in the cards [games], and then grab a couple of beers in Czech, and he's back."
On the challenge of missing players like McAvoy and Marchand to start the season…
"I think we are going to be ready from Game 1. There will be some ice time for other players to grow up and obviously they're always the two key players for our team. And it's up to us, you know...we have a great core leadership. So, I'm pretty sure we will be ready from Game 1.
"It's going to be challenging, but the whole season is going to be so the earlier you get to these challenges the better you get as a team and good together. We're just going to stick together and do what it takes to get as many points as we can."
On if he's met yet with new coach Jim Montgomery…
"I came here last night, late last night. So, I just came in, got my work done in the gym and on the ice….I think he's here, so we're for sure going to grab a talk. Excited to meet him and work with him."
On attending Tuukka Rask's wedding over the summer…
"Yeah, it was amazing actually. I've never been to Lake Como so thanks to him I get to visit there. Obviously a really beautiful wedding and with beautiful people and close friends. So, it was a lot of fun."