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David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Bruins 2024-25 Player Grades: David Pastrnak

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Ryan Ventura | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 9:20 AM ET

The 2024-25 Boston Bruins season is finally over, and by any measure, it was a disappointment. Just a year ago, the team knocked off the Toronto Maple Leafs in dramatic fashion in the first round of the NHL playoffs. After signing the likes of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov and locking down Jeremy Swayman long-term, hopes were high that they would improve heading into this campaign. The results ended up being quite the opposite. Only three teams in the entire league ended up with fewer points than the black and gold, and they appear to be in line for a top-five pick come this year’s NHL Draft.

If you were to look for bright spots in the team’s down year, there are not many places to go; that said, there is one obvious one: the play of star winger David Pastrnak.

Points on Points

The Bruins were able to score 2.71 goals per game in 2024-25, however, Pastrnak was able to put up 106 points. He had 10 more goals, 30 more assists, and 49 more points than anyone else on his team. The fact that Pastrnak was able to put up over 100 points on a team that was as lethargic offensively as the Bruins is nothing short of incredible. Put around a more competent top line and power play, it is likely that No. 88 would be right in the MVP conversation.

If it were not for Pastrnak’s output, the Bruins would have been historically bad. He practically single-handedly willed the Bruins to relevance for the first half of the season–and he gave fans something to be excited about once the Bruins sold at the deadline and it became apparent that they were not going to be around come playoff time.

Consistent Efforts

This season was Pastrnak’s third consecutive in which he has put up over 100 points. The Bruins’ offensive efforts have regressed over this time: they averaged half a goal per game more in 2023-24 than this season, and nearly half a goal per game more than that in 2022-23. Pastrnak’s production has been right up there with the best in the league despite the regression of the players around him. His ability to consistently produce was on full display this season. From mid-January to the beginning of March, he rattled off a 17-game point streak, keeping the Bruins afloat in the wild card race when it seemed like nobody else could find the back of the net around him. He finished the campaign on a ten-game point streak, the final six of which saw him put up two or more.

Season Grade: A-

Pastrnak was nothing short of spectacular in 2024-25. If we were to take into account nothing but his play on the ice given his circumstances, he would receive an A+. That said, this was his 11th season in the NHL, and he has solidified himself as a superstar in the league. Players of his caliber are judged based on their ability to produce in the playoffs and help their team contend for championships. While Pastrnak’s play was incredible, it would be wrong to give his season an A or an A+ when he was unable to compete in the postseason.

The Bruins were able to stack up draft capital, cap space, and prospects at this year’s trade deadline, which should allow them to build around players like Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. They also need the big money names who they already have around these stars to step up: Swayman, Lindholm, and Zadorov, to name a few. Pastrnak has shown that he is reliable, even when those around him are not; the team should look to others to elevate their play and build around their superstar going forward.