David Krejčí
Quite possibly the biggest news coming out of the Bruins' offseason is the departure of long-time Bruin, David Krejci, as he decided to return to his home country of the Czech Republic to play in the Czech Estraliga (EHL).
We can talk about Krejci's contract all you want as he was the highest paid Bruin at $7m per year, how he played with a revolving door of wingers for season after season, or how he was really emerging himself as a strong leader along side Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron for years. We can talk about all of that, but to say that he won't be missed by the team, fans, and especially myself is an understatement.
However, when it's all said and done, Krejci meant more to this team and did not have the appreciation he truly deserved and earned for that matter. It's easy to compare him to Patrice Bergeron as many have because Krejci was the number two center behind Bergeron, but many fans have short term memories and seem to forget that Krejci was the number one center for several years and had immeasurable success at doing so.
Let me put it this way. Remember when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup ten seasons ago? Well duh, of course you do, we all do. But do you remember what happened the year prior? Yes, that. Let's talk about the infamous collapse of the 2010 playoffs against Philadelphia. We all remember losing game 7 after being up 3-0 in the series AND in the game. But very few remember the turning point in that series being when David Krejci got hurt in game 4 on a hit from Mike Richards. The Bruins lost game 4 of the series 5-4 in overtime nonetheless, and the Flyers certainly never looked back. I have to give the Flyers credit here, but the Krejci injury was catastrophic as he suffered a dislocated wrist and BOOM he was done for the playoffs. It's hard to say what would have happened if Krejci did not suffer a season-ending injury that year, but not having Krejci contributed to the horrible, horrible collapse.
That offseason sparked some much needed puzzle pieces coming into the team. Yes, the Bruins had the 2nd overall pick (thanks Toronto and Kessel) and drafted Tyler Seguin, but we also saw Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell acquired via trade from the Florida Panthers. Once Nathan Horton, David Krejci, and Milan Lucic were that top line, the Big Bad Bruins were back. Following Krejci's wrist injury, he put up solid numbers during the regular season with 13 goals, 49 assists for a total of 62 points. Now, we all know Krejci followed up that performance in the playoffs with a league leading 23 points in 25 games (12 goals and 11 assists). Krejci and his fellow Bruins hoisted the Cup and the rest is history.
I don't want to get into the 2013 Cup run too much because it wasn't a fun ending for any Bruins fan, but Krejci AGAIN led the league in playoff points with 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists) in 23 games. After the 2013 season, we saw the departure of Nathan Horton and welcomed Jerome Iginla to the Black and Gold with Milan Lucic still on Krejci's left. Krejci had a fantastic regular season that year with 19 goals and 50 assists for 69 points leading the Bruins to a President's Trophy, but an early bounce in the second round of the playoffs. A lot of moves were made that offseason leading to Milan Lucic being traded and Jerome Iginla signing with the Colorado Avalanche as a UFA leaving Krejci with no tenured wingers on his line.
What happened over the next several seasons was now GM Don Sweeney attempting to fill the hole(s) left on Krejci's wing(s). We saw David Backes, Ryan Spooner, Loui Eriksson, Danton Heinen, Karson Kuhlman, Peter Cehlarik, Rick Nash, Andres Bjork, Jake DeBrusk, on Krejci's wings and the list goes on and on. Krejci still put up great numbers considering the laundry list of wingers he played with but he was no longer the number one center, with now coach Bruce Cassidy loading up with top line with Patrice Bergeron alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Bruins made another Cup run in 2019, but before that David Krejci became the number one center after Bergeron came down with an injury that left him sidelined for 17 games. With Krejci playing with Marchand and Pastrnak, Krejci tied his career-high in points with 73 (20 goals, 53 assists) in 81 games. To me, and this should also prove to you, that when he was playing with talented wingers, he makes great things happen. When Bergeron returned, Krejci played with Jake DeBrusk and David Backes at times or Karson Kuhlman, or somebody else. You get the idea.
It is unfortunate that Krejci was the scapegoat for many years for early playoff exits, but it was only last season when we saw the emergence of what used to be a real threat from Krejci's line with the acquisition of Craig Smith during the offseason and Taylor Hall at the trade deadline. Now Smith didn't start on Krejci's line, but once he was moved up to play with Krejci, that line was lethal to finish out the shortened season and that continued into the playoffs. I know we were all excited to see what the Hall-Krejci-Smith line could do together in a full 82-game season, but Krejci made other plans that were best for him and his family.
Of course we'll miss Krejci's playmaking abilities on the ice and his ability to make phenomenal passes. He would look for the best opportunities on the ice, not necessarily the flashiest of plays, but he made the players around him better, too. We can't forget his ability to score too, because when Krejci was going the Bruins were a much better team. However, what we'll also miss is his leadership and presence on the ice and off. Krejci, though not as vocal as other players, was a leader on the Bruins since he was first called-up from Providence in 2007. He gave everything he had to the Bruins for 15 years and I only wish the fans knew how much he meant to the team for all of that time. With the Bruins core dwindling to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand from the 2011 team (hopefully we can add Tuukka Rask back to that list), I can't help but think of missed opportunities when Krejci's right-wing was not addressed for years.
The Bruins made three Cup Finals, with one Stanley Cup, and two President's Trophies with Krejci as a reliable center for it all. There is undoubtedly a hole left with his departure on the ice, but also in the locker room. But it's time for a new player to step up. I hope to see Charlie Coyle make an impact playing with Craig Smith and Taylor Hall or maybe we'll see the emergence of a young kid with Jack Studnicka as the season goes on. With the season looming in just a few days time, Bruins fans will miss our reliable center and I am glad he is finally receiving the respect he deserved. I can't help but smile when I come across Krejci highlights of him tearing it up in the Czech league.
We will miss number 46 in Black and Gold, but thank you David Krejčí for all that you gave to this team💛
