Boston Bruins Rumors: David Krejci nearing a return to Boston
![Czech Republic's David Krejci (Photo by Christine OLSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) Czech Republic's David Krejci (Photo by Christine OLSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/47bd08ad867dabb95a25f14e9466844e761f3f921e166501ca6bf5a1689ee15d.jpg)
The Boston Bruins are in the midst of a pivotal offseason. Whether or not they remain Stanley Cup contenders depends on how good of an offseason they are able to put together over the next couple of months.
There have already been a couple of big moves made. Bruce Cassidy was fired early on, and replaced with Jim Montgomery, which is a move that sounds like it will please the locker room. Reports have also come out that Patrice Bergeron, who was contemplating retirement, will be returning next season, which is huge.
The moves already made are big, but this team has a lot of ground to make up on the rest of the league if they want to make one last Stanley Cup run. Improving their depth on both offense and defense is going to be critical. That need could be getting addressed soon, though, as reports have begun to filter in the David Krejci is discussing a potential return to Boston after spending a year in the Czech Republic.
David Krejci returning would provide a huge boost for the Boston Bruins
Krejci spent much of his career leading the Bruins second line behind Bergeron and Brad Marchand, and often struggled to get much support. And just when it seemed like he finally got a solid pair of linemates in Taylor Hall and Craig Smith, he decided to call it a career and head back to his native Czech Republic to finish off his career.
It always seemed like Krejci had some unfinished business with the Bruins, and it wasn’t totally surprising to see rumors begin to pop up that Krejci was considering a return to the NHL. And now we have news that Krejci and the Bruins front office are discussing his potential return for next season.
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Some have been skeptical of how big of an impact Krejci’s return would have for the B’s. He’s already 36 years old, and has lost some of his speed as he has aged. What good would it do to add another aging veteran who has seen better days?
And while it’s true that Krejci may not be the player he once was, he is better than what the Bruins have on their roster right now. Boston’s third and fourth lines on offense were desolate, especially in the playoffs, and they could use a playmaker like Krejci to help create offense behind the top line.
Erik Haula spent much of last season playing out of position at center on the second line, and while he played well, Krejci’s return would allow the Boston Bruins to put Haula back on the wing. Krejci could retake his spot as the center on the second-line, giving Montgomery the freedom to mix and match his lineups as he pleases.
You also cannot count out Krejci’s playoff experience, which is huge. Krejci is known for taking his game up a couple of notches when the postseason rolls around, and that would be huge for a team that looked overmatch for most of their first round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Giving Krejci a pair of solid linemates could help open up the offense behind the top line. He may not be as fast as he once was, but he is still a very skilled passer, and his ability to create chances for his teammates would bode well for whoever he’s playing alongside.
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Boston probably should focus on getting younger, but if they want to win next year, bringing back Krejci would be a big help. There would still be a ton of work to accomplish, but the Bruins are going to need to get the band back together if they want to have a shot at winning it all one more time, and Krejci’s return would be a big step forward.