For the second straight offseason, a foundational piece of the Bruins’ decade-long string of success is departing Boston — as David Krejci announced in a statement on Friday afternoon that he’s leaving Boston and the NHL and returning back to his native Czech Republic.
Here’s Krejci’s full statement:
“Dear Bruins fans:
In January of 2007 when I pulled the Black and Gold sweater on for the first time I was 20 years and was almost 4,000 miles away from home.
Since then, you have embraced me as a Bostonian. I have given everything that I have had to you and the Bruins, and over time, Boston has become a second home to me. I met my amazing wife Naomi here, and our two beautiful children call Boston home. This City and your support are so special to me.
The Bruins organization has always treated me with the utmost respect. I am so thankful for my teammates, the trainers and support staff, coaches and management who have allowed me to be a part of so many great teams. Obviously the 2011, 2013, and 2019 teams stick out, bur truthfully I have loved every Bruins team I have been part of.
Since the end of the season, as I have thought about my future, it has become clear that I need to make a difficult decision for my family and I. At this point in my career and life I need to return to the Czech Republic and play in front of my family who sacrificed so much to help me achieve my NHL dreams. I want to play in front of my parents, brother and friends. I want my children to live where I grew up, spend time with so many Czech family members who love them and create lifelong memories.
So for now, I want to thank all the Bruins fans for the support they have shown my family and I over the last 14 years. I will forever be thankful.
This is not goodbye, I will not be a stranger. I will be a Bruin forever. I will see you at the TD Garden soon, and I will always bleed Black and Gold.
With gratitude,
David.”
Krejci, 35, was a top-six fixture on the Bruins after finally breaking through in the NHL ranks back in 2007, closing out his Boston and NHL career with 730 points over 962 career games — ranking eighth all time in franchise history in scoring. As soft-spoken and understated as Krejci was during his time here, the veteran pivot built a reputation as a player that shined brightest during the big moments, ranking second in team history with 124 career points in the postseason.
Twice in his career, Krejci led all NHLers in playoff scoring — both times during postseason campaign runs that led to both a Stanley Cup title (2011) and a trip to the Cup Final (2013).
While it seemed almost inevitable that Krejci would be back for at least one last kick at the can with this veteran core in 2021-22, the Sternberk, Czech Republic native did note in his final press conference with Boston back in June that returning back to Europe was on the table, although he needed more time to mull things over with his family.
“You guys write a lot that I wanted to finish my career in Czech, which has not changed," Krejci said. "But when I said that, I was younger. I’m a husband. I’m a dad, I have two kids. They’re getting older. So yes, I still, at one point, would like to finish my career in Czech – for different reasons now than when I first said it. I would like my kids to speak my language because my parents don’t speak any English. My kids don’t speak Czech.
“I would like them to learn the language. But again, when that's going to happen, or if that's going to happen, we'll see. I’m going to try to get away from the game a little bit now and think about lots of things. Spend some time with my family and just go from there.”
BSJ Analysis:
In terms of how Krejci’s departure impacts the Bruins next season? I mean … let’s be candid here. This is an absolutely massive blow to this club in what could be one of the final chances that this core has of going on a deep run this spring.
As we mapped out just a few hours ago (great timing, eh?), Don Sweeney’s free-agent signings earlier this week certainly bolstered the team’s depth at areas of need (bottom-six, defense), but in terms of gauging just how much Boston moved the needle this summer as far as fielding a Cup contender, it was all going to come down to if Krejci was back in his usual spot at 2C.
Now, Boston’s additions of versatile forwards capable of playing both wing and center certainly make a lot more sense, with players like Erik Haula and Nick Foligno potentially slotting in at 3C and opening the door for a dreaded “2C by committee” entering training camp.
Is a healthy Charlie Coyle due for a bounce-back campaign in a featured role? Perhaps Jack Studnicka is ready to put last year in the rearview and run with the opportunity? Folgino?
I mean … sure, but any contingency plan just pales in comparison to the level of production Boston would have received with Krejci conducting the offense with the puck on his stick.
Facts are facts, you don’t replace a guy like Krejci — and the irony of the situation is that Boston, at long last, finally had a pair of capable wingers to pair with him next season in Taylor Hall and Craig Smith.
At this point, your lineup now is probably looking somewhat like this:
Marchand — Bergeron — Pastrnak
Hall — Coyle — Smith
DeBrusk — Haula — Foligno
Nosek — Frederic — Lazar
Perhaps Coyle runs with it and thrives next to some legit weapons like Hall, but the fact of the matter is that even at his best, Coyle still doesn’t match the production that Krejci gave this club — with the domino effect down the rest of the lineup also limiting options to improve elsewhere. (For example, at this point Jake DeBrusk might be staying in order to bolster that third line, rather than be used as a potential trade chip for additional assets).
Is it ideal for this team in a win-now window? Absolutely not. And with most premier free-agent centers off the market, Boston’s options outside of internal promotions are starting to look awfully barren. Of course, we still have another few months to go before training camp opens up — and Boston could still find ways to address that vacancy at 2C.
At this point, Jack Eichel still seems completely infeasible given both the cap situation and the lack of assets Boston can offer to Buffalo to pry the star center out of New York. Perhaps Boston kicks the tires once again on Christian Dvorak? Maybe Sweeney has another trick up his sleeve?
Or maybe, just maybe, what you see is what you get.
And this Bruins team — clinging to the hope of at least one more magical run before the party’s over — might just have to try and patch up a void that’s simply incapable of being filled.