BREAKING | David Pastrnak extension will cost the Bruins more than expected

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Dorin Canaday
February 7, 2023 (11:31)

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Discussions between the camp of David Pastrnak and the Boston Bruins are ongoing.

But where exactly does each side stand?

According to multiple sources with close ties to the NHL, Pasta's agent J.P. Barry and general manager Don Sweeney are talking almost every day, while getting closer and closer to a deal. As of now, the latest reports are that the Bruins will have to pay the All-Star winger more than they originally expected.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared an update on the most recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast:

''I think when this is over, we will find out that David Pastrnak pushed the Boston Bruins in a position they didn't think they would get to and didn't want to be in.''

Player agent J.P. Barry has been famous for dragging out negotiations like this. He did the same thing with Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators last summer, to get the most money for his client, and Friedman noted how this could be their biggest leverage:

''What's the biggest weapon you have in a negotiation? It's the willingness to say no. I think David Pastrnak had the willingness to say, �Look, if you guys aren't going to do this, it's gonna be a problem.' And I think he pushed the Bruins into an area that maybe they didn't want to go in. I think it's gonna get done because I think they recognized it has to get done. That's my opinion.''

The 26-year-old is enjoying a career-best pace with 38 goals and 34 assists in 51 games this season. At this rate it wouldn't be surprising to see Pasta as a Hart Trophy finalist at the end of the year, so will Boston be forced to pay him like Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon?

As Scott McLaughlin of WEEI revealed, it's possible that's what it's all come down to.

''The question is whether it's closer to the $11 million side of that top stars level or if it approaches that MacKinnon/McDavid $12.5 million tier.''

Currently, the top-paid players by AAV are as follows:

MacKinnon: $12.6 million (next season)
McDavid: $12.5 million
Panarin: $11.642
Matthews: $11.64 million
Karlsson: $11.5 million
Doughty: $11 million
Tavares: $11 million

Where does Pastrnak rank among this group?

Without a doubt, he's the future of the Bruins organization and the type of player that will continue to attract valuable free agents to Boston.

SOURCES:

Scott McLaughlin, WEEI, It sounds like David Pastrnak's extension will cost Bruins more than they anticipated.

Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnets, 32 Thoughts Podcast.

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How much would you be willing to pay Pastrnak per year?
$9-$10 million	41	13.5 %
$10-$11 million	91	29.9 %
$11-$12 million	120	39.5 %
$12 million +	52	17.1 %
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