David Krejci and Don Sweeney comment on whether a reunion in Boston could occur this season
You could certainly make an argument that the Boston Bruins have not looked like their typical dominant selves since the departure of 2nd line center David Krejci, who signed with Olomouc HC in his native Czechia over this most recent offseason.
Krecji was one of - if not the best - 2nd line centers in the National Hockey League during his 15-season NHL career, and he has been enjoying a successful first season back in Czechia since the 2012-2013 lockout, when he played 24 games with Pardubice HC. In 42 appearances with Olomouc this season, Krejci has registered 17 goals and 36 points.
There has been some speculation over whether Krejci would consider an NHL comeback at the conclusion of his Czech League season, and while the 35-year-old has not ruled anything out, he certainly hasn't tipped his hand as to whether or not he plans to return to the Bruins in time for a playoff push in March either.
Krejci is currently playing with Team Czechia at the Olympic Games in Beijing, where The Associated Press was able to ask him what his more immediate future might hold. Here's what Krejci had to say.
«Obviously if I had one year left on my deal, I would be in NHL now. It just kind of happened to work out that way. Things happen for a reason, I believe, so I'm here now. I'll try to take the most out of this opportunity and what comes after this, we'll see.
«I'm here now. I'm going to focus on this tournament. I don't know myself yet what's going to happen, so I'm just going to play it out.»
In terms of Bruins GM Don Sweeney, he had a chance to address the media on Thursday morning, ahead of his club's matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, but he did not have much to offer in the way of an update on a potential Krejci return.
«I haven't had, since the first of the year, any discussions with David [Krejci] in terms of what his plans were,» Sweeney said on Thursday. «He made an indication around the holidays as to what he's doing. I haven't had any contact with him since. I know he's been asked questions, so he's answered them. With that regard if the opportunity presents itself, I'm sure there are several teams that would have the same conversation we would. But I haven't had any.»
As we inch closer to the NHL trade deadline on March 21st, perhaps we'll have a better idea of what Krejci's plans will be moving forward. That said, if the Bruins go out and nab one of the names that they're rumoured to be interested, like Vancouver's J.T. Miller or Philadelphia's Claude Giroux, it would likely decrease the chances of Krejci coming back to Boston.
