David Pastrnak spent last season wearing two hats for the Bruins, and the one fans missed most was the finisher’s cap.
Before the 2025-26 season, Pastrnak had already put together five 40-goal years in his previous six campaigns, with the lone exception coming in the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season. That kind of scoring track record made him one of the league’s most dependable goal threats. But once Brad Marchand headed to Florida and Boston’s top six lacked much punch, the bigger question became simple: who was going to get Pastrnak the puck?
Instead of waiting for help, Pastrnak leaned into becoming more of a setup man. That shift came with a cost.
He passed more than he shot, and plenty of fans were frustrated by how often he passed up chances, especially on the power play. The move from the left flank to the right side on the man advantage also took away the weak-side one-timer that had fueled so many of his goals.
Pastrnak publicly embraced the change, at least on the surface. He said repeatedly that he was fine with the new power-play role, and during a TNT playoff broadcast he noted that Bruce Cassidy was the one who originally came up with the idea for him to play that way on the power play. Still, the reality was hard to miss: Boston needed him to do it because there wasn’t enough offensive talent around him.
That’s what makes the Bruins’ addition of JJ Peterka so interesting. Boston now has a player who could line up on the right flank with Pastrnak on the left, giving the power play a more natural look for a shooter of his caliber. Morgan Geekie has benefited from Pastrnak’s passing and turned into one of the league’s more dangerous scorers, but there’s also a question of whether he’s the best fit holding down that left-side spot all season, especially when the scoring dries up.
If Marco Sturm still wants to keep Geekie in the mix as a possible 30-goal guy, there’s another route. Geekie could slide into the bumper spot and create more movement with Pastrnak, letting the two swap positions and keep penalty killers on their heels.
Pastrnak’s passing game has been useful, and at times fun to watch. But what Boston really wants back is the version of him that piles up goals at a 40-goal pace. A return to the 61-goal season looks less likely now, but a season alongside another skilled weapon like Peterka, both at five-on-five and on the power play, should give Pastrnak a better chance to remind everyone that he’s still one of the league’s most feared shooters.
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Have A Veteran Scoring Option Worth Watching
Barry Melrose, the longtime hockey analyst and former player and coach, has died at 70, a loss felt across the sport by anyone who watched him break down the game for years. Around the same time, a veteran scoring name suddenly entered the conversation in a way that could matter for teams looking to add offense, with the move creating a fresh bit of intrigue for clubs that still have room to chase help.
For Boston, the appeal is obvious. The Bruins could always use another experienced finisher if the fit and price make sense, and this is the kind of situation worth monitoring closely as the market takes shape. Reports suggest the player in question may have a preference for the East Coast, but nothing has been settled yet, which leaves the door open and the speculation very much alive. [Read more 🡒]
Charlie McAvoy Finally Addressed The Play That Got Him Suspended
Charlie McAvoy is still sorting through the play that turned into a major early-season storyline for the Bruins, and the defenseman finally offered his side of it after the NHLs Department of Player Safety handed down a six-game suspension. The incident came after a playoff sequence against Buffalo, when McAvoy was assessed a match penalty for slashing Sabres forward Zach Benson, a moment that quickly became a flashpoint because of how heated and dangerous it looked in real time.
McAvoy framed the exchange as a response to what he saw as a dangerous slew-footing play, but he also acknowledged the reaction went too far. He said a broken hand played a role in why he did not square off with Benson then and there, adding another layer to a situation that already carried discipline, frustration and a lot of second-guessing for Boston heading into the new season. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Are Suddenly Tied To A Veteran Scorer With Camp Looming
With camp looming and the Bruins still sorting out their roster for the 2026-27 season, the team has found itself connected to a familiar veteran scorer. Elliotte Friedman has mentioned interest in bringing Chris Kreider back to Boston, and while nothing has been finalized, the possibility adds another layer to a forward group that still appears to be in flux as decisions draw closer.
A move like that would not just be about adding another name to the lineup, either. It could force the Bruins to rework how their bottom half of the forward group fits together, and one of the more notable ripple effects would be on players pushing for everyday roles. For a team trying to lock in its roster ahead of the season, the timing of this kind of speculation makes the next few weeks worth watching. [Read more 🡒]