Last season was the first for Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak, who played without Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci in the Black and Gold’s lineup. Both players announced their retirement in the summer of 2023, leaving a huge void at center for coach Jim Montgomery.

After playing with Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle last season, GM Don Sweeney signed center Elias Lindholm as a free agent to become his top center. He was meant to fill the Bruins’ need for a No. 1 center at even strength and on the power play, and Pastrnak compared his new teammate to some former ones.

Pastrnak compared Lindholm to Krejci and Bergeron, two game-changing centers who played important roles in the franchise. Lindholm and Pastrnak signed a seven-year contract with an AAV of $7.75 million and will be teammates for years to come when they wear the Spoked-B.

“He has a bit of (David) Krejci and (Patrice) Bergeron,” said Pastrnak. “He’s a damn good two-way player and has a high hockey IQ. He’s right-handed and I’ve played with a right-handed player most of my career. I’m really looking forward to building chemistry between us whether we play together or not. We’ll definitely have some opportunities at 5-on-5 and power play. He’s going to be an important part of our team.”

There’s a feeling that Montgomery will end up lining up Pastrnak alongside Lindholm, and that could bring huge results for the Bruins. Will he score 60 goals like he did two years ago? Maybe not, but between 40 and 50, and maybe even over 50, isn’t impossible.

Of course, health will be a big part of Lindholm and Pastrnak’s success together, as the former Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks forward has already missed the second day of training camp. It’s probably nothing, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on this season: the health of the No. 1 center. He hasn’t played a game in the Spoked-B yet, and Boston’s best player already has him in a circle of the best talent the franchise has ever seen.