NHL notes: Bruins lock up forward Pastrnak with six-year, $40-million contract

BOSTON— The Boston Bruins are hoping to build off last season when they reached the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three seasons. They took a step in the right direction by signing forward David Pastrnak to a six-year contract worth $40 million on Thursday.

The team had been negotiating with the restricted free agent over the summer. Pastrnak had career highs with 34 goals, 70 points and a plus-11 last season.

“I always said we were going to find a deal,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said at a news conference at Warrior Ice Arena. “There was a strong level of communication. And I just think the work paid off for both sides to find a good landing spot.”

A native of the Czech Republic, Pastrnak was a first-round pick in the 2014 draft. In his three-year NHL career, he’s registered 59 goals and 64 assists in 172 games.

The 21-year-old will make $6.67 million a season. He’ll be the Bruins’ third highest-paid forward after centres David Krejci ($7.25 million) and Patrice Bergeron ($6.87 million).

Duchene ducks questions: Matt Duchene didn’t even skate around his situation. The Colorado Avalanche forward simply sidestepped the topic with as much speed as he flashes on the ice.

“I’m here to honour my contract. I’m here out of respect for the fans. I’m here for my teammates,” Duchene said Thursday before retreating from the dressing room.

And that’s how Duchene arrived for the start of training camp as his future with the team remains murky.

His name was floated last season in trade talks, but no deal was struck. General manager Joe Sakic also wasn’t able to move Duchene on draft night or over the off-season. There’s still no guarantee Duchene will be in the lineup for Colorado on opening night Oct. 5 at the New York Rangers. He remains their best trade chip to acquire a young defenceman.

It’s now a delicate situation for an Avalanche team that doesn’t really need any further distractions. They missed the post-season for a third straight year and finished with just 48 points — the lowest in a full season since 1999-2000, when the expansion Atlanta Thrashers had 39.

Jets extend Little: The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with forward Bryan Little on Thursday.

The deal has an average annual value of $5.29 million (U.S.) starting next season, the team said in a release.

Little, 29, was originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Edmonton native had 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) in 59 games for the Jets last season.

Little has 432 points (184, 248) in 672 career NHL games.