BOSTON -- Negotiations are ongoing with restricted free agent forward David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Sunday.
Pastrnak had 70 points (34 goals, 36 assists) in 75 games with the Bruins last season. He completed his three-season, entry-level contract.
"Just have had some talks this week with his group and hopefully we'll get to a resolution at some point and time in the near future. But again no timeline," Sweeney said.
Center Ryan Spooner is another restricted free agent the Bruins are trying to sign. Spooner, who had had 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 78 games last season, is scheduled to have an arbitration hearing in Toronto on July 26.
Sweeney hopes to avoid a hearing with Spooner, who played the past two seasons with an annual NHL salary-cap charge of $950,000.
"That would be accurate, yes," Sweeney said.
The Bruins continue to discuss trades and are talking with veteran players who are unrestricted free agents including forward Drew Stafford, who had eight points (four goals, four assists) in 18 games after Boston acquired him in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets on March 1.
But Sweeney is in a holding pattern waiting to see how things fare with his restricted free agents.
"As I've said, I've been honest with them in terms of our timeline and satisfying our RFA situation before I move forward in those regards," Sweeney said. "But I've had some conversations on both fronts."
-- Matt Kalman
