Contract negotiations: David Pastrnak focuses on hockey

UPDATE DAY

While he was showing off at the National Hockey League skills competition, David Pastrnak had no time to think about his next contract. Negotiations will come in time for the star of the Boston Bruins.

The Czech revealed on Friday that he plans to talk a bit with his agent J.P. Barry in Florida over the weekend stars, but that he had better things to do right now than to think about contract talks. Pastrnak's six-year, $40 million pact will expire at the end of the campaign and he will become a free agent.

“No hurry. In the middle of the season, you focus on hockey. You don't really think about your contractual situation, he explained in a press briefing, according to the NHL.com site. It's in the hands of my agent, the staff and [general manager Don Sweeney]. I only think about hockey and playing, honestly, so that's all I do.”

Motor oil

It must be said that the Bruins are having a dream season and that they do not expect Pastrnak to see elsewhere. According to head coach Jim Montgomery, also present at the all-star game, the 26-year-old forward is “fuelled for success”.

“He is an extremely competitive player, who loves hockey and who continues improve,” said the Montrealer. Everyone around the team is saying he's better than three years ago, and last year he was better than three years ago.”

Boston won 39 of their 51 duels so far and could well set an all-time overall record if the team can keep up the pace.

Pastrnak, meanwhile, is also heading for career highs . At the break, he had amassed 38 goals and 72 points in 51 games.

While Brad Marchand indicated in the last few days that the Bruins were successful because its members accepted lower salaries, his companion of trio could expect to make more than $6.7 million per season. After all, he has averaged more than one point per game since signing his last contract.