David Pastrnak continues to grow as a player. In 2025-26, his 12th NHL season, the Boston Bruins’ No. 1 right wing recorded a career-high 71 assists as part of his fourth straight season with 100 or more points. He now has access to another option when opponents consider his shot too dangerous not to deny. Morgan Geekie (39 goals, career high) has been the top beneficiary when it comes to Pastrnak’s generosity.Part of Pastrnak’s heightened passing touch has come on the power play. It used to be that Pastrnak parked himself at the left elbow and waited for setups to one-time on net. Instead, with Geekie’s shot available in his former office, Pastrnak has transitioned into a dangerous strong-side playmaker. He had 23 power-play helpers in 2025-26.Pastrnak did all this while averaging 20:39 of ice time per game. It was his heaviest workload yet. Coach Marco Sturm leaned on Pastrnak like none of his predecessors did.So while turning 30, as Pastrnak did in May, is not always a hockey player’s most welcome development, it is far from tucking No. 88 in a retirement home. That Pastrnak unlocked his playmaking side underscores the prodigiousness of his hockey sense. It is a power that could serve him well, even once his feet slow and his strength wanes. Pastrnak is far more than just a skilled player.