Bruins Call Up Rookie David Pastrnak, Who May Make NHL Debut Monday Vs. Penguins

BOSTON (CBS) --Bruins fans may soon get to see what the team's top draft pick from this year looks like in a spoked B.

The B's announced Monday morning that they have recalled David Pastrnak from the AHL.

The call-up, in conjunction with the recall of Jordan Caron, comes amid a slew of injuries in the Bruins' forward corps. David Krejci remains out, and Chris Kelly is a recent addition to the injured list. Neither player skated with the team on Monday morning, so it's likely that they will not be in the lineup against Pittsburgh on Monday night.

When the Bruins opted for first-round pick Pastrnak to start the season with AHL Providence, they wanted to see the 18-year-old develop certain aspects of his game. But Pastrnak has played so well from the very beginning of his pro career that the Bruins can no longer ignore it.

Pastrnak has five goals and 13 assists in 17 AHL games, and he earned AHL rookie of the month honors for October. He's tied for fifth in AHL scoring, and now he may get his first taste of NHL action.

Given the state of his team's health, Bruins head coach Claude Julien did not make any declarations about which players would be in the lineup against Pittsburgh. Julien only noted that there will be a number of game-time decisions, Pastrnak included.

"Well, that he's improved a lot. Understanding the game, the North American game," Julien said when asked what he's heard of Pastrnak's development. "The way we plays here, whether it's here or Providence, as you know we're pretty well similar. We know he's a dynamic player, but it's like a lot of players will tell you -- well here's an example, I was listening to Martin St. Louis yesterday talk and how he said he was utilized a lot in defensive situations early in his career and until somebody gave him that opportunity to become an offensive guy, like he had been his whole career, he felt like he was a more complete player. I think, right now, that's what David is trying to learn in Providence. We know how dynamically he makes things happen. He's a skill player, can score goals but we don't expect perfection but you have to be at least a little bit reliable defensively. That's what he's working on over there and he's gotten better, so that's where we're at with him and I guess, like you guys, I'm going to find out a little bit more about him if he plays tonight."

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