Kirk, Young lead early at Bay Hill Pastrnak signs $90M contract

Chris Kirk is coming off an emotional win nearly eight years in the making. He carried that momentum to seven birdies at Bay Hill and a 5-under 67 for a share of the early lead Thursday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Cameron Young also had a 67 in morning conditions that might be as easy as Bay Hill gets all week. They were one shot ahead of a group that included defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.

Jon Rahm and Rory Mcilroy were among those playing in the afternoon.

Kirk won the Honda Classic in a playoff just four days ago.

The Boston Bruins were already on pace for the best record in NHL history when they added toughness and depth for what they hope will be a long playoff run this spring.

Now general manager Don Sweeney has helped secure the team’s future, too.

Boston signed Allstar forward David Pastrnak to an eightyear contract extension on Thursday that will pay $90 million — the sixth-richest deal in NHL history. The deal locks up one of the league’s MVP candidates through the 203031 season for $11.25 million per year.

“Our goal was all along to make him a lifelong Bruin,” Sweeney said. “We’re very happy to have David be a part of our team now and for the foreseeable future.”

Pastrnak, 26, is second to Edmonton’s Connor Mcdavid this season with 42 goals, adding 38 assists while leading Boston to the best record in the NHL. Entering Thursday night’s game against Buffalo, the Bruins (47-8-5) had 99 points in 60 games — a 135-point pace that would surpass the 132 of the 1977 Montreal Canadiens.