Pastrnak Could Be Hottest UFA Next Summer

David Pastrnak’s agent, J.P. Berry, is keeping in regular contact with the Boston Bruins, but how much does he really have to say?

Pastrnak, a potential unrestricted free agent this summer, has made his value clear in every game he has played this season.

The Czech standout recorded his 13th career hat trick (watch all 3 goals here), plus an assist, Sunday to carry the Bruins to a 7-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks. The Bruins now own a 14-game points streak and Pastrnak has 32 goals

He’s on pace for 65 goals. That's Phil Esposito, vintage 1970s, territory.

And every time Pastrnak scores, he reminds Bruins fans how important it is that they get him re-signed immediately. The Bruins are juggling lit torches by allowing him to get this close to free agency.

The Bruins are in a good place.  They are the  NHL’s No. 1 team with 68 points. That’s the second-highest 40-game point total in NHL history. The 1929-30 Bruins posted 71 points in 40 games with a 35-4-1 mark.

But captain Patrice Bergeron, 37, seriously contemplated retirement last season. From this point, he’s year-to-year about his future. Brad Marchand turns 35 during the playoffs. David Krejci will be 36 in the playoffs and he’s already left the NHL once.

The 26-year-old Pastrnak is critical to this team’s future. 

The Bruins have previously been able to persuade players to take a little less to stay with the Bruins. Pastrnak has said he would like to stay with the team.

But if he becomes a UFA, some team will pay him at least $70 million for seven years. Johnny Gaudreau received $68 million and change last season from the Columbus Blue Jackets after one 40-goal season.

Barring injury, Pastrnak is on his way to his third 40+ goal campaign over the past four seasons. He could end up being the hottest player in the free agent marketplace.

⏎ Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson returned to the Washington Capitals lineup for the first time since last May. Both underwent major procedures in the offseason  —  Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery and Wilson had ACL surgery. Backstrom was back on the top line, centering Ovi and Conor Sheary and skated 18 shifts for 14:03 of ice time. Wilson skated 17 shifts and collected 14:10 of ice time while playing right wing alongside Dylan Strome and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Capitals beat the Blue Jackets 1-0 thanks to Darcy Kuemper's 37-save-shutout.

🔥 Kyle Connor is on fire. Last night the Jets' left winger scored a hat trick (watch all 3 goals here) in a 7-4 victory over the Canucks, including his 20th of the season. And on Friday night the American forward rewrote the Winnipeg Jets' record book, setting a new franchise record with his 41st game winner for Jets in a  4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Connor's 49 points tie him with Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk for 8th most points in the NHL today.

TRIVIA: Cole Caufield's goal Saturday night (watch here) was his 50th as a Montreal Canadien in just 117 games played — the 4th fastest to 50 goals in Montreal Canadiens history. Can you name the top 3?

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TRIVIA ANSWER:

Maurice Richard holds the Montreal Canadiens record for fastest to 50 goals in just 76 games with Jean Beliveau (105 games) and Bernie Geoffrion (114 games) the only other Canadiens to score 50 goals in less games than Cole Caufield.