However, according to the NHL Network, they may not think so highly of him. The NHL Network ranked him just behind Matthew Tkachuk, Mikko Rantanen, and Nikita Kucherov.
Whether you believe Pastrnak is elite or not, there's a debate to be had about this list.
While the list is ultimately flawed, it's not wrong in some areas.
While Pastrnak did produce at an elite level with 110 points, he wasn't close to Nikita Kucherov who scored 144 points in 2023-2024. Unlike Pastrnak however, Kucherov benefited greatly from playing with Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel.
While Pasta was placed on a line with Danton Heinen and Pavel Zacha, and who has 9 GF in xgf%. But individually Pastrnak is one of the best:
He could see a jump in production being paired with Elias Lindhom in 2024-2025, and will undoubtedly be neck and neck with Kucherov once again, as the Lightning brought in elite scorer, Jake Guentzel.
Compared to Tkachuk, Pastrnak may not be a complete power-forward like the buzzsaw Tkachuk. He forced the Bruins to surrender 16 goals while he was on ice in 13 games, while Pastrnak only forced eight.
Tkachuk is the perfect kind of power-forward, capable of playing in multiple scenarios and ready to put someone through the boards if he has to.
Tkachuk not only beat Pastrnak on the ice, but he also fed him his fist, unfortunately.
It appears on this list, Rantanen was rated far too high, whether it's because of a past Stanley Cup win or not he is overrated.
Neither numbers nor anyone who uses the eye test would place Rantanen above Pastrnak. While he's a skilled winger and a great goal scorer in the NHL,
Pastrnak leads Rantanen in even-strength goals, with 103 to Rantanen's 90. And while we're comparing Pasta to Rantanen, we should look at power-play goals, as Pasta also leads the way from 45 to 43.
Even with all the best help at his disposal, Rantanen typically doesn't draw the most attention from NHL defenses, as he is on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon.
If we compare lines from last season:
It seems that Rantanen may have been a negative force on the top line in Colorado, while the Bruins running a line with Zacha and Heinen grind out a better goals-for-percentage, with who could be considered 2nd or 3rd liners elsewhere in the NHL.
Source: Boston Hockey NowWhat NHL Network Got Right And Wrong About David Pastrnak In List Of Top Wingers
POLL | ||
19 AOUT | 44 ANSWERS David Pastrnak considered overrated by NHL Networks recent top 20 current wingers Is Pastrnak better than Nikita Kucherov or Mikko Rantanen? | ||
Yes | 36 | 81.8 % |
No | 8 | 18.2 % |
List of polls |