The gang is getting back together.
Just an hour after the Bruins announced that Patrice Bergeron was set to return for a 19th season in a black-and-gold sweater, the team announced that David Krejci is also set to suit up for Boston once again — with the veteran pivot signing a one-year contract with an annual cap hit of just $1 million.
Much like Bergeron’s contract, Krejci’s deal features an additional payout by way of performance-based incentives — amounting to $2 million in bonuses.
With these performance bonuses, the Bruins could technically have their top-six pivots in Bergeron and Krejci only account for a $3.5 million cap hit this season — with their combined $4.5 million in bonuses able to be pushed into next year if Boston does indeed exceed that $82.5 million cap ceiling.
And even though Krejci’s dirt-cheap $1 million salary means that Boston is actually not at that $82.5 million upper limit, the B’s still need to sign Pavel Zacha to a new deal — and with just about $250,000 in cap space remaining following Krejci’s signing, it’s obvious that Boston will be pushing at least some of that money in 2023-24.
Krejci, who turned 36 back in April, spent last season with HC Olomouc in his native Czechia, recording 46 points over 51 games overseas. And even though Krejci’s numbers might have benefited from the lower level of competition back home, the forward’s skillset (poise with the puck, hockey IQ and passing ability) isn’t exactly one that should erode with age — especially if he’s going to be earning substantial reps next to both Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak.
When finally granted an elite top-six weapon on his line in Hall, Krejci was an O-zone menace in 2020-21 — with Boston outscoring opponents, 14-1, in the 193:13 of 5v5 ice time that both forwards logged together.
And with Krejci potentially handed another lethal sniper in Pastrnak to his right, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if Krejci is once again an elite point producer into his return to Boston’s top-six unit.