Ryan: At long last, the Bruins seem ready to finally give David Krejci what he’s wanted for years in Boston

For David Krejci, the decision to uproot his family and return stateside following one season overseas in his native Czech Republic didn’t revolve around one overarching factor or consequential component.

Despite his candid thoughts on Boston’s top-six reshuffle last season — following years in which the playmaking pivot was often tossed table scraps on the second line — Krejci’s return to Boston wasn’t prompted by Bruce Cassidy’s firing. 

“That would be a good story if I said yes, but no,” Krejci said Tuesday of Boston’s coaching change. “My decision was made before they hired the new coach. The firing of Butchy had nothing to do with my decision coming back.”

It certainly wasn’t motivated by money. 

Much like Patrice Bergeron, Krejci did Boston a solid when it came to crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s on a new deal, signing a one-year deal with a base salary of just $1 million — with another $2.5 million in performance-based bonuses able to be pushed onto next year’s payroll if need be.

No, for Krejci, what prompted his reunion with the only NHL club he’s ever suited up for was a matter of unfinished business, especially after checking off his goal of playing a pro season back in Czechia. 

"It was amazing,” Krejci said of his sojourn back home. “It was even better than I thought it would be. Just being with my family pretty much every day, it was special. That was special, especially for me. I’ll remember that forever, it was amazing. 

“Being at home, showing my family where I grew up. My oldest daughter went to school. It was a great experience. I’m obviously going to miss it, miss my family, my friends, my teammates from last year — but I feel like I’m back where I belong.” 

And beyond just the desire to potentially ride off into the sunset back with the Bruins, Krejci stressed his desire to once again share the ice with a few familiar faces on Boston’s bench — namely, a few franchise cogs in the top-six unit. 

“I have to give credit to Bergy and Pasta — we had so many conversations in the last few months about coming back or not, and they’re the reason I want to come back and play with those guys again,” Krejci noted. 

Even though Bergeron and Krejci don’t usually log the same shifts during even-strength action due to their pivot designations, it does seem as though the writing is on the wall when it comes to Krejci’s desire to reap the benefits of having a proven sniper like Pastrnak on his line. 

And the Bruins would be wise to fulfill those wishes, especially in wake of last season’s roster reshuffle. 

One of the primary conduits that fueled Boston’s second-half surge last year was Cassidy’s decision to break up the 63-37-88 line — with a revamped top-six trio of Pastrnak, Erik Haula and Taylor Hall gelling immediately and alleviating the O-zone pressure weighing on Bergeron, Brad Marchand and 

And while Haula did an admirable job in that 2C role (Boston outscored opponents, 27-17, in that line’s 416 minutes of 5v5 play last year), Krejci should generate even greater returns, especially if Jim Montgomery opts to stick him with Pastrnak for the long haul.

Even though both Pastrnak and Krejci traditionally have operated on separate lines during most of their time together in Boston, injuries and other circumstances have often led to the Czechs skating together. And to the surprise of very few, lumping a playmaker like Krejci with a finisher like Pastrnak has often yielded positive results. 

Since the 2018-19 season, Pastrnak and Krejci have logged 620:51 of 5v5 ice time together, with the Bruins outscoring teams by a 32-17 rate. Even with Marchand out of commission through at least the middle of November this upcoming season, the Bruins should be able to create a proven scoring safeguard in their top-six unit by keeping Pastrnak and Krejci in place — and letting Bergeron work with the likes of DeBrusk and one of many candidates on the right side (Pavel Zacha? Craig Smith? Perhaps Fabian Lysell?)

“Obviously, who wouldn’t want to play with one of the best players in the world? I was lucky enough that I got to play with him at the World Championship and that was kind of a turning point in my decision, coming back to the NHL,” Krejci said of playing with Pastrnak. “Just playing with him, just kind of seeing what we can still do together, it was pretty cool. Yeah, it would be nice to play with him – I’m sure I’ll get a chance to play with him this year.”

And Krejci+Pastrnak’s established track record is also not even factoring in Krejci’s sterling showing next to Hall during their short time together in 2021. 

While Hall’s rush-heavy style of play would seem to clash with Krejci’s propensity to dictate pace and slow the game down, both skaters were a cheat code in the offensive zone in their three months together — with Boston holding some absurd advantages in …

Shot attempts: 224-117
Shots on goal: 124-64
Scoring chances: 114-53
Goals scored: 14-1 (!) 

…in just 193:13 of 5v5 ice time together. 

Yes, David Krejci is a few years older now. And yes, the veteran center did feast against the competition in Europe that was at least a few tiers below what he will battle back in the NHL ranks.

But Krejci’s skillset (high hockey IQ, a methodical O-zone pace, crisp puck play) isn’t exactly one that erodes dramatically over time — especially if he’s going to be buoyed by two elite talents to his left and right in Hall and Pastrnak.

For years, Krejci was often the neglected cog in Boston’s engine — still putting up 60+ points at a steady clip despite a carousel of often middling talent on his wing. Now, with the longtime Bruin back in a black-and-gold sweater, the Bruins should finally catch on when it comes to playing to Krejci’s strengths. 

It’s a move that’s long overdue when it comes to giving Krejci some high-octane weapons to work with. And it’s a tweak that should benefit everyone in what continues to look like one last kick at the can for this group.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer still,” Krejci said. “I know people talk about my age, but it's just a number. I feel I'm in good shape. And yeah, obviously, I'm coming back to try to go all the way. But I've been in the league a long time, so I know what it takes to make the playoffs and go all the way. So just one step at a time.”