BREAKING - David Krejci's expected to make a huge announcement

PUBLICATION

Hunter Bowman
August 3, 2023 (7:53 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

With the recent retirement of Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, another key question mark looms over the roster: the future of longtime center David Krejci in the NHL.

After a stint with his native team Olomouc HC in the Czech League during the 2021-22 season, the 37-year-old Krejci returned to the Bruins last season, delivering an impressive performance with 16 goals and 40 assists in 70 games.

Speculations arose about a possible return to Olomouc for the 2023-24 season, but a reliable NHL source revealed to Boston Hockey Now that such a scenario won't materialize.

According to the source, Krejci may continue playing for the national team, but beyond that, he will call it a career. The announcement is expected to be made "very soon" but in a "low key" manner since he had already left the NHL and the Bruins once.

Krejci and his family have established their home in South Carolina, and the source confirms that they are "extremely happy" there.

During end-of-season media interactions with the Boston Bruins, Krejci fielded numerous inquiries about his playing future and made it clear that he would either return to the NHL or retire.

He stated,

"If I come back, then yeah, it would be NHL. Obviously, be the Bruins."

If this indeed marks the end of Krejci's illustrious career, it has been a remarkable journey for the center, who was drafted by the Bruins in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Apart from his stellar last season, Krejci reached the milestone of 1,000 games played on Feb. 20. He also displayed his prowess in the intense seven-game first-round series against the Florida Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing a goal and three assists in four games.

Throughout his 1,032 NHL games, Krejci amassed 231 goals and 555 assists, along with 2023 power-play points, and a +166 plus-minus rating. Notably, he led the Boston Bruins in scoring during their triumphant 2011 Stanley Cup run, registering 12 goals and 11 assists in 25 games.

Moreover, in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks, he showcased his talent with nine goals and 17 assists in 22 games. Fondly known as 'Playoff Krech,' he left an indelible mark in the postseason with 43 goals and 85 assists in 160 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Source: Bostonhockeynow