The Bruins have a big gap of their management group with the losses of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Nick Foligno.
It is an effective guess that Brad Marchand will substitute Bergeron as captain, however he’ll want different individuals to step up for a workforce that has seen a number of turnover.
David Pastrnak, seemingly the forever-young little brother of the management, will little question be requested to take a bigger position in that division.
While it’s nonetheless uncommon to see Pastrnak with out a smile on his face, he’s not precisely the identical happy-go-lucky child he was when he arrived right here in 2014. He is a veteran of 592 common season NHL video games and one other 77 playoff video games. He’s solely the second Bruin to hit the 60-goal plateau (Phil Esposito being the opposite) and he’s about to be paid handsomely for it, along with his new eight-year contract that can pay him a median annual worth of $11.25 million about it to kick on this season.
Pastrnak, who arrived in Boston on Sunday evening and took part in Monday’s captain’s follow at Warrior Ice Arena, believes he’s following within the footsteps of some nice leaders.
“In my time, I’ve had (Zdeno Chara) and Bergy and Krech. Half the guys here spent time with them on the team and we are privileged to have learned from these guys and grown as players and as human beings. Not everyone is so lucky to play under the leadership like we had these past couple decades that they’ve been here,” mentioned Pastrnak.
Pastrnak is thrilled to have again Milan Lucic, who he mentioned appeared out for him when he was a rookie.
“I’m so happy to have him back. It’s been a long time since we’ve been on the team (together), but I always remember my first couple of years,” mentioned Pastrnak. “He’s one of those guys who helped me to (mature) as a human being and as a player. I still remember the day he got traded. So he brings some memories back and I’m really excited to have him back, just like the whole city is.”
If there’s something he’s discovered from previous leaders it’s to remain related together with your teammates.
“You check up on every single guy,” mentioned Pastrnak. “You’re here every day, so these guys are like your second family. It is our job here, but at the same time every single guy in this room lives a life, has a family and kids, so it’s very important to check up. They say the sun comes up every day but it can be a gray day for you. So you help each other out, you’re there for each other. It’s definitely something where Bergy wouldn’t miss a day to check up in a guy and help them out with whatever. He helped me out going through my career. Time flies. I’m going on 10 years. I’m not so young anymore.”
Pastrnak has skilled his share of grey days. Two summers in the past, he and his accomplice Rebecca suffered an unspeakable tragedy when their first youngster Viggo Rohl, died after six days.
In June, the couple introduced the beginning of their daughter, Freya Ivy.
“It’s been amazing turning your life around,” mentioned a beaming Pastrnak. “It was great to have time to spend with my family this summer. It was perfect timing and we’ve been enjoying every day.”
From a hockey standpoint, the retirements of Bergeron and Krejci means the lack of the 2 facilities with whom he’s performed the majority of his profession. While issues can change shortly, it’s anticipated that Pastrnak will get a primary look with Pavel Zacha as his middle. Zacha performed so much with Pastrnak final yr, however principally because the left wing on the all-Czech line with Krejci centering.
“We played with Pav, same language, same nationality. It’s a very easy transition to play with him,” mentioned Pastrnak. “He’s a very smart hockey player. He can adapt. Not every hockey player has that (ability) to adapt to other hockey players. And he has it. I think it’s going to be very easy for him to elevate, whether he’s playing as a center or wing. I obviously had some great games with him.” …
Quick hits
Danton Heinen, signed to a tryout settlement, made his first look at captain’s follow. Heinen hopes to make a second go-round with the B’s, who drafted him in 2014. He was in his third full NHL season when the B’s traded him to Anaheim for Nick Ritchie on the commerce deadline in 2020. Heinen additionally has an opportunity to be reunited with Jim Montgomery, who coached him at Denver.
“That for sure (played a part),” mentioned Heinen of Montgomery. “I know he’s a smart coach and I know most of the coaching staff here. And I know some of the guys, so it’s good to have some familiar faces.”
Heinen performed the final two years in Pittsburgh, the place he notched a career-high in targets (18) two years in the past. Now it’s again to the place he began, and the commerce that despatched him away is in his rearview mirror.
“It’s the business. It caught me off-guard a little, but that’s the nature of the beast. Those things happen. I loved my time here, but it is what it is. No hard feelings and I’m happy to be back,” mentioned Heinen. …
The B’s introduced some hockey operations hires, together with John McLean as an assistant coach. He joined the group as a expertise coach final yr. Also employed had been Dan Darrow (assistant video coordinator), Josh Pohlkamp-Hartt (affiliate director of hockey analytics), Campbell Weaver ((director of hockey techniques), Derek MacKinnon (professional scout) and Milan Jurcina (European scout)….
The Bruins rookies misplaced their ultimate sport of the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo to the New Jersey Devils, 4-2. Curtis Hall and Brett Harrison had been the B’s goalscorers. The B’s completed 1-2 within the tourney.
Source: www.bostonherald.com