Bruins, Pastrnak discussing 8-year deal

The Boston Bruins and David Pastrnak are discussing an eight-year contract as they attempt to finally reach a new deal.

"We are now discussing an eight-year max term to see if we can find some common ground," Pastrnak's agent, J.P. Barry, said, according to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe.

The news doesn't come as much of a surprise as Barry said last week that such a deal was his camp's intention. Further, Pastrnak was using the eight-year, $68-million deal signed by Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl as a comparison in contract talks, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tuesday.

"They know our position on the current marketplace for elite young forwards," Barry said, "and we will continue our negotiations again (Wednesday)."

The recent reports are a sign that progress is being made. Last week, Bruins president Cam Neely was candid, saying there had been little dialogue between the parties.

As if there needed to be another reason to get a deal done soon, training camps open up in one week.