David Pastrnak

Pastrnak looks to break second-year slump curse

Published Sep. 2, 2015 12:08 p.m. ET

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For many NHLers, the second year in the NHL is the toughest. The player has already cemented himself in the minds of fans and perhaps even coaches as a typical NHLer, but the player still needs some time to adjust to the NHL pace.

For David Pastrnak, the expectations are even higher. After the Bruins traded long-time forward Milan Lucic to the LA Kings earlier this summer, Pastrnak will be expected to play a bigger role for the team. His name has even been included in conversations about who might play on top center David Krejci's line.

It's easy to forget that Pastrnak is barely 19 years old, one of the youngest players in the league, and he is still of slight build, standing at six feet tall and 181 pounds. But Pastrnak told the Boston Globe that he is confident he can put together a strong season.

"I heard a lot of times the second season in the NHL is the worst one, but I can change it," Pastrnak said to the Boston Globe. "I just worked out in summer same as like I did last year and I can change anything else. I just have to work hard every day."

The Bruins waited a while last season before giving Pastrnak a chance at the NHL level, but the young winger still did well, posting 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 46 games with the Bruins. He even had a chance to play on a line with Lucic and Ryan Spooner when the Bruins were struggling down the stretch.

Pastrnak noted that he will enter this season with a few off-ice boosts as well.

"I feel a little more confident in the locker room and on the ice," Pastrnak said to the Globe. "I think it helped me — last year I was coming here and I didn’t know anyone. Now I’m coming here and I have some friends here, so it makes it easier, everything all around. I feel really good now."

(h/t The Boston Globe)

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