David Pastrnak scored again as the Boston Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at TD Garden on Saturday night in one of the most exciting games of the 2022-23 NHL season.
The superstar right wing now has 33 goals — four behind Edmonton Oilers center Conor McDavid in the race for the Rockets Richard Trophy. With 59 points (33 goals, 26 assists) in 42 games, Pastrnak is on track to become the Bruins’ first 50-goal scorer since Kamnelli in 1993-94 and since Phil Esposito The team’s first scorer to score 60 goals in 1974-75.
Another Bruins-Leafs playoff series in 2023 will be a real treat for fans
But the main storyline involving Pastrnak wasn’t his historic first half of the season. That’s the fact that he remains unsigned after the current campaign ends.
What’s the latest on the contract talks between Pastrnak’s camp and the Bruins?
“I want to be careful with this, but the news in the league is that the Bruins and Pas Tenak has made some progress.” “Not to get out of control on this, but suffice it to say that the negotiations seem to be making some progress. I still think there are some things that need to be done, but Saturday was progress for Pastrnak.”
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney spoke to reporters Saturday night after the team announced the signing of forward Pavel Zacha to a four-year, $19 million contract extension. Sweeney was asked if he had an update on Pastrnak’s situation. His answer was, “No.”
Between now and July, the Bruins’ number one priority — besides winning the Stanley Cup, of course — is re-signing Pasternak to a long-term deal. Boston can’t afford to lose a player of Pasternak’s quality on and off the ice.