David Krejci wants to play with the Boston Bruins.

May 12, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins head coach

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(12) during the first period in game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

There is a lot to be said about loyalty. There are players in the NHL whose attitude can be seen as almost mercenary. The Boston Bruins have done very well in the last decade finding players who are loyal and willing to play to the Bruins system. The organization really wanted to lock up Czech forward David Krejci before he entered free agency. Thankfully, David Krejci has come to love Boston and the Bruins. Krejci was happy to sign up again with the Black and Gold.

“The core is here and I feel like we still have lots of years left and we can compete for the Cup in the next few years,” offered Krejci to the media. “So that was one of the reasons why I decided to sign now and not wait until next year when I will be a free agent and see what’s out there. I was really happy that the deal happened before the season started and we can just move on, not think about anything and just play hockey.”

I think it’s important to let the fans know that Krejci could have held out for free agency. If he had another sixty poiny season, it would have guaranteed him eligible for a contract that the cap-strapped Bruins may not have been able to afford. (They will be likely looking at a similar scenario when Johnny Boychuk‘s contract comes up at the end of the season (If they haven’t traded him by then.).) While some people think seven million dollars is too much, Krejci did take a bit of a ‘hometown discount’ here.

When David Krejci first came to Boston, he required a translator. Now, his English is easier for me to understand than some of the Boston natives (joke!). His quiet competency earned that ‘A’ on his sweater (Something that Krejci believes he’s done “an OK job” with.). Now he’ll get to go out there with old linemate Milan Lucic and new linemate Loui Eriksson to push for success and another Stanley Cup. In the end though, Krejci would like to retire as a player in the Czech league.

“I want to win and I really think we have the team to make a run, not just one year but the next few years,” said Krejci (as reported in ESPNBoston.com).“Seven years from now, if we have what we’re trying to achieve, then it’s going to be an easier decision to go back home. I’ve always wanted to finish my career back home and that will be a way easier decision [if we win another Cup]. If not, I would have to think twice about my next move.”

“But that’s the reason I signed here, I believe we can win, not once, but more times, so it’s just up to us.”