For generational talents in the NHL, contracts aren’t just about the money on paper, they’re also about club identity, cap strategy, and framing a franchise’s competitive window.
Few deals encapsulate this better than David Pastrnak’s eight‑year, $90 million extension with the Boston Bruins, a contract that transformed one of hockey’s most prolific scorers into the financial and cultural centerpiece of a perennial contender.
Signed on March 2, 2023, the deal keeps Pastrnak in Boston through the 2030‑31 season and carries a strong cap hit of $11.25 million per year, one of the largest in franchise history and top‑tier among NHL forwards.
Contract Details & Earnings Structure
- Team: Boston Bruins
- Contract Type: Free Agent Extension
- Term: 8 years (2023‑24 through 2030‑31)
- Total Value: ~$90 million
- Average Annual Value (AAV): ~$11.25 million
- Signing Bonuses: Significant annual bonuses totaling ~$26.5 million over the life of the deal
- No‑Move/Modified Trade Clauses: Full no‑movement clause (NMC) early in the contract and modified protections later
Pastrnak’s eight‑year pact was structured with base salaries paired with signing bonuses each season, creating cash‑flow security for him and cap efficiency for Boston.
Early seasons delivered more cash upfront via bonuses, while later years gradually soften salary, balancing cap impact with sustained elite compensation.
Salary Timeline & Cash Delivery
Below is a representative cash and cap schedule, blending base salary and signing bonuses over the contract’s term:
- 2023‑24: ~$13.0 million (salary + bonus)
- 2024‑25: ~$13.0 million
- 2025‑26: ~$12.5 million
- 2026‑27: ~$11.25 million
- 2027‑28: ~$11.25 million
- 2028‑29: ~$10.5 million
- 2029‑30: ~$9.5 million
- 2030‑31: ~$9.0 million
The cash distribution front‑loads earnings slightly, a common tactic to reward players early while accommodating cap planning.
Meanwhile, the cap hit remains level at $11.25 million each season, which simplifies Boston’s financial forecasting and aligns salary with performance expectations.
Pastrnak’s Value & Market Impact
Drafted 25th overall in 2014, Pastrnak quickly developed into one of the NHL’s most consistent goal‑scoring threats, with multiple 30+ and 40+ goal seasons and a Rocket Richard Trophy (NHL’s leading scorer) to his name.
His elite point production, power‑play prowess, and top‑line leadership made him a true franchise cornerstone, a player around whom championship hopes are built.
In NHL contract terms, $11.25 million AAV places him among the highest‑paid forwards in the league.
Long‑term deals of this size are reserved for stars whose presence changes competitive dynamics and helps attract complementary talent.
NHL Escrow, CBA & Cap Mechanics
Unlike many sports, the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has unique financial levers that affect real take‑home:
Escrow & Revenue Sharing
Under the NHL CBA, players receive ~50 % of Hockey‑Related Revenue (HRR).
If actual revenue exceeds projections, a portion of player pay enters an escrow holdback (i.e., money withheld from paychecks) to reconcile the split at season’s end, a quirk unique to NHL paychecks that reduces net cash flow throughout the season.
Teams and players are still repaying pandemic‑era escrow debt, which affects cap growth and macro incomes league‑wide.
Salary Cap & Long‑Term Deals
Pastrnak’s annual cap charge ($11.25 million) counts against the Bruins’ cap space each year, a significant commitment in a league where top stars generally range from ~$10‑$14 million AAV.
Contracts this size affect roster flexibility, and the CBA includes rules about no‑movement and modified trade clauses to protect players under long extensions like this one.
Unlike the NHL’s predecessor CBA, the current CBA eliminated most performance bonuses for forward stars on big deals like Pastrnak’s, instead preferring upfront signing bonuses and base salary, which are still subject to escrow adjustments.
Residency, Taxes & Travel Tax Exposure
Pastrnak’s salary is taxed on both federal and state/local levels, and the NHL schedule creates one of the most pervasive jock‑tax footprints in sports:
- Federal Tax: ~37% marginal rate at higher incomes
- State Tax: Massachusetts and/or New Hampshire (where the Bruins have practice/administrative bases) levy income tax differently depending on residency, typically one of the higher tax environments in the league.
- Jock Taxes: NHL players pay state income tax in every market where they play home/away games; a full 82‑game schedule across multiple states results in multi‑jurisdiction filings that further reduce net take‑home.
This jock tax exposure and escrow holdbacks mean headline salaries can diverge significantly from net dollars in the bank, a reality all NHL stars must navigate.
Estimated Net Contract Value
To approximate Pastrnak’s net take‑home across the life of his contract, we account for typical tax drag, escrow, and professional deductions:
Gross Contract Value: ~$90,000,000
Estimated Deductions:
- Federal tax (~37%)
- State/local tax & jock tax (~8–12% weighted)
- Escrow holdbacks (variable by year)
- Agent/management fees (~3%)
- Hockey‑related expenses (~1–2%)
Estimated Net Take‑Home:
~$42 – $48 million
This range reflects real retained income after mandatory withholdings and professional costs, meaning Pastrnak keeps roughly half of his contract value once all obligations are paid.
Escrow withholdings, in particular, vary year to year based on league revenue, a unique structural factor in the NHL pay ecosystem.
Financial Outcome
- For the player: Pastrnak’s contract secures decade‑long financial security at elite earning levels, aligning his peak years with stable compensation.
- For the team: Boston locked in a generational scorer at predictable cap cost, anchoring their competitive window and enhancing roster construction plans around him.
- For the market: The deal exemplifies how elite forwards are valued in long‑term NHL economics, where scoring talent, clutch play, and leadership translate into sustained financial commitment.
Contracts like this don’t just pay players, they define franchise eras.
David Pastrnak’s eight‑year, $90 million contract with the Boston Bruins is a financial cornerstone deal that balances cash flow, cap impact, and long‑term stability for both player and team.
His cap hit at $11.25 million per season ranks among the highest for NHL forwards, and the structure with signing bonuses, protections, and CBA nuances, ensures strong earnings while accounting for escrow and multi‑state tax realities.
In a league where net earnings can fluctuate widely due to escrow holdbacks and pervasive travel taxation, Pastrnak’s contract remains one of the most intelligently crafted in the NHL, securing his place as both a top scorer and a major financial figure in one of hockey’s most storied organizations.
Next Reads
- Beckett Seneckee Anaheim Ducks Contract: Taxes, Residency & Net Income Explained
- Why NHL Players Flock to Florida Teams: Taxes & Take-Home Pay
- How NHL Players Get Paid Compared to Other Leagues
- Top 5 Longest NHL Contracts In History
- Free Agency
Credits
Written By: Aidan Anderson
Research & Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NHL.com, PuckPedia contract database, SportsKeeda contract breakdown, Boston Sports Today, APSM proprietary analysis
Featured Image: Public Domain / Wiki Commons
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional financial advice.
Apostle Sports Media 