David Pastrnak Lands Elite Spot In New NHL Player Ranking originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Bruins star remains one of hockey’s safest offensive forces David Pastrnak’s goal total declined last season, but his standing among the NHL’s elite players did not.
CBS Sports ranked the Boston Bruins winger No. 6 overall in its preseason fantasy hockey top 100 for the 2026-27 season. Pastrnak finished directly behind the publication’s “Big Five” and ranked second among all right wings.
Although the list was created for fantasy hockey, Pastrnak’s lofty position says plenty about his real-world importance to the Bruins. Few players offer his combination of scoring, playmaking, shot volume and durability.
Boston’s offense continues to run through its $90 million superstar.
David Pastrnak Proved He Is More Than A Goal Scorer
Pastrnak’s 29 goals during the 2025-26 regular season represented a significant decline from the 43 he scored one year earlier. It also was his lowest full-season total since 2017-18.
That ordinarily could cause a player to tumble down preseason rankings. Pastrnak instead compensated for the decrease by becoming an even more productive distributor. He recorded a career-high 71 assists and finished with exactly 100 points in 77 games.
It marked his fourth consecutive 100-point campaign, a stretch that began when he exploded for 61 goals and 113 points during the 2022-23 season.
Pastrnak ranked sixth in the NHL in assists and tied for seventh in total points last season. He also led the Bruins in assists, points, points per game, even-strength points, power-play points and shots, according to the team’s announcement naming him to the NHL Second All-Star Team.
His evolution matters for Boston.
Pastrnak always will be known for his one-timer and his ability to score from seemingly impossible angles. Last season showed he does not need to challenge for the Rocket Richard Trophy to remain one of hockey’s most dangerous offensive players. When opposing defenses concentrated on taking away his shot, Pastrnak created opportunities for everyone around him.
Bruins Still Depend Heavily On Their Franchise Winger
Pastrnak did not simply lead the Bruins in scoring. He finished 32 points ahead of Boston’s next-highest scorer, Morgan Geekie, who recorded 68. That gap illustrates both Pastrnak’s brilliance and Boston’s dependence on him.
The Bruins finished 45-27-10 with 100 points and claimed the Eastern Conference’s top wild-card position. It was an encouraging response after Boston missed the playoffs during the previous season. But Pastrnak remained the player capable of transforming a competitive Bruins offense into a dangerous one.
He averaged a career-high 20:39 of ice time per game and recorded 67 even-strength points, 33 power-play points and 261 shots. Those numbers give fantasy managers exactly what they want: elite production across several categories with little uncertainty surrounding his role.
Boston also leaned on Pastrnak after the postseason began. The Bruins were eliminated by the Buffalo Sabres in six games, but Pastrnak led the team with three goals and four assists. His overtime winner extended the series in Game 5, and he scored Boston’s only goal in the season-ending 4-1 loss.
Even when the Bruins’ season was slipping away, their best player continued producing.
Pastrnak’s Ranking Reflects Remarkable Consistency
The most impressive part of Pastrnak’s recent run might be the different circumstances under which he has maintained it. Boston’s roster has undergone significant changes over the last several years. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired. The Bruins have shuffled centers, adjusted their supporting cast and worked through an organizational transition.
Pastrnak’s production has remained remarkably stable.
He has recorded at least 100 points in four consecutive seasons while serving as Boston’s unquestioned offensive centerpiece. His 2025-26 performance also earned him a third consecutive postseason All-Star selection. The 30-year-old now owns 420 goals and 933 points through 833 career games. He already ranks fifth in Bruins history in goals and sixth in points, putting him within reach of additional franchise milestones during the coming season.
Boston secured that production when it signed Pastrnak to an eight-year, $90 million contract extension in 2023. His $11.25 million annual cap hit runs through the 2030-31 season. Considering his consistency and the increasing NHL salary cap, that agreement continues to look like a foundational investment.
MORE: Bruins Star’s $90 Million Contract Suddenly Looks Like Bargain
No. 6 Might Not Be Pastrnak’s Ceiling
The primary question entering the new season is whether Pastrnak can combine last year’s playmaking growth with a return to his usual goal-scoring form. His 29 goals were well below his recent standard, but he continued creating shots at an elite rate. If a few more of those opportunities find the net, another 40-goal season is entirely realistic.
That would give Pastrnak a chance to improve upon his No. 6 ranking. The Bruins also will need to find ways to prevent opponents from directing all their defensive attention toward him. Additional scoring support could increase Pastrnak’s assist opportunities while creating more favorable shooting situations.
CBS Sports placed five players ahead of him, but Pastrnak remains immediately outside that exclusive group. After four consecutive 100-point seasons, he has earned the benefit of the doubt.
His goals may rise or fall. His role may evolve. The production, however, continues to arrive.
For the Bruins, that consistency makes Pastrnak far more than an elite fantasy selection. It makes him the player around whom their present and future remain firmly constructed.