Pastrnak is hoping to sign a deal to stay at Bruins

David Pastrnak hopes to sign a contract to stay with the Boston Bruins.

The 26-year-old forward is entering the final season of a six-year, $40 million ($6.67 million average annualized value) deal he signed with Boston on September 14, 2017, and may sign an unrestricted post-season deal become a free agent.

“Yes, of course,” Pastrnak said on Friday about remaining with the Bruins. “In this city I had the chance to become the player that I am, the person that I am. And the Boston organization was an incredible part of that. I came here as a kid and now I’m a man [it] makes me really happy. Lots of great memories. I’ve said it many times, I love it here. It’s an honor to wear this shirt.”

Pastrnak led the Bruins in goals (40) and was second in points (77) last season, behind the forward Brad Marchand (80). He has at least 34 goals and 70 points in five of the last six seasons, and his 215 goals since 2016-17 ranks fifth in the NHL.

“Obviously we love it here. This is our home,” said Pastrnak. “This is where I grew into a man. I’ve spent incredible years with (partner) Rebecca and we’re really happy here. Obviously my focus is on being ready for Game 1 (the regular season). We’ll be missing a few key players and myself know that I have to be with my game from the start.

“I still have the whole season. We’ve got all season to figure things out. … There have been a few changes. We have a new coach (Jim Montgomery). … These things sometimes take time. I’m focused on being ready and helping the team win, especially at the start of the season when it’s going to be extremely tough for us.”

The Bruins will start the season without Marchand, who underwent hip surgery in May. He skated for the first time on Friday but will probably not play before the end of November. They will also be without a defender Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk, who each had shoulder surgery in June. McAvoy is expected to return in December and Grzelcyk in November.

Boston will open the season on October 12 in the Washington Capitals.

“[Marchand and McAvoy] are obviously two key players for our team,” said Pastrnak. “…We have a great leadership core so I’m pretty sure we’ll be game 1 ready. It’s going to be a challenge. … The sooner you master these challenges, the better you become as a team and grow together.”

Pastrnak was selected by the Bruins in the first round (#25) of the 2014 NHL Draft and has 504 points (240 goals, 264 assists) in 510 regular-season games and 74 points (30 goals, 44 assists) in 70 Stanley Cups -Play playoff games.

“The team wants to do it and has been very vocal about it,” Marchand said on Thursday about a new contract for Pastrnak. “It’s something we obviously want, but we don’t have to put any pressure on it. … if he wants to bring it up, you leave it like that. … If not, give him the space. We all must go through it. These are stressful times. You don’t need guys to increase that stress level. … We only need him to score goals for us, we don’t have to discard him.

Pastrnak said he’s happy center David Krejci will be returning to the Bruins. Krejci played in his native Czech Republic last season after playing 15 seasons for Boston (2006-21). The two helped Czech Republic finish third at the 2022 IIHF World Championship in Finland in May. Pastrnak had 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in seven games and Krejci had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 10 games.

“I have to say it was a highlight of my last season, the joy he brought me back with the World Championship (the) to play hockey again is what I was looking for when I went there this year and it happened,” Pastrnak said. “We’re obviously close friends and I’m delighted that he’s come back.”

The Bruins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games in the first round of the Eastern Conference last season. They have qualified for the playoffs in six straight seasons but have not advanced past the second round in seven games since losing to the St. Louis Blues in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals.

“I know what I can achieve in this league when I’m 100 percent healthy and that’s just my biggest focus,” said Pastrnak. “Injuries are part of the game. … I’ve had a great summer, I’m healthy so hopefully it stays that way all season.”