Bruins David Krejci announces potential retirement from NHL

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Hunter Bowman
August 4, 2023 (5:05 PM)

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In a report brought forth by esteemed Boston Bruins insider Jimmy Murphy, it appears that the illustrious career of longtime Bruins forward David Krejci is nearing its end.

Krejci is poised to make a significant announcement regarding his retirement from the NHL and the sport as a whole.

However, amidst this bittersweet farewell, there remains a glimmer of hope for fans as Krejci contemplates one final hurrah - potentially representing his native Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championships.

Murphy's report, featured on Boston Hockey Now, sheds light on the impending announcement by Krejci, which is expected to be both timely and unpretentious.

Having already departed the NHL and the Bruins once before, Krejci's exit this time is poised to be a quieter affair.

Following the Bruins' unexpected loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Krejci had made it clear that his future lay exclusively in the NHL; ruling out a return to play in Czechia, as he did in 2021.

"No. Now it's either come back or be done," Krejci stated resolutely. "If I come back, then yeah, it would be NHL. I did what I did last year, and I'm happy. No regrets. But I closed the door, so that I will make a decision soon. It would be NHL. Obviously, be the Bruins."

The decision now appears to be final, marking the end of an era for this exceptional player. Krejci's retirement aligns with another significant departure from the Bruins, as longtime center Patrice Bergeron also announced his retirement earlier this offseason.

With both Krejci and Bergeron retiring, the Bruins face the upcoming season without their top two centers, leaving big shoes to fill.

If this indeed marks the conclusion of Krejci's extraordinary journey, it's undeniably been a remarkable run for the former 2nd round draft pick back in 2004.

With an impressive 1032 career regular season games, all spent donning the Bruins jersey, Krejci has amassed 231 goals and 786 points while maintaining a remarkable +166 plus-minus rating.

Furthermore, his playoff performances have been nothing short of clutch, exemplified by leading the Bruins in scoring during their triumphant 2011 Stanley Cup championship run with an impressive 12 goals and 23 points in 25 post-season.

Krejci's contributions to the Bruins' legacy will be etched in hockey history, serving as a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport.

Source: Hockeyfeed