Boston Bruins Report Card: David Krejci
The Boston Bruins were asking a lot of alternate captain David Krejci this season. They needed him to help mold young Czech forward David Pastrnak. They needed him to be a major producer for the Black and Gold. Finally, they needed him to help the B’s get back in the playoff race. Krejci was able to help the B’s with everything but the last request.
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David Krejci – Forward
Games Played: 72
Goals/Assists/Points: 17 /46 /63 (four power play goals with three game winning goals, 143 SOG with a 11.9% shot success rate.)
David Krejci had a 63-point season. That’s certainly adequate for the 30-year old Czech forward (This was his third best season in a Bruins uniform). He finished the season playing with a hip injury that limited his production on the ice. He had to have corrective surgery after the B’s season ended.
David Krejci’s line never had the stability that Patrice Bergeron‘s line had. Claude Julien finally stabilized the line near the end of the season by pairing Krejci with fellow Czech Pastrnak (who Krejci did a solid job with just like Bergeron did with Brad Marchand a few seasons back) and the very physical Matt Beleskey. The line did play well together, and generated solid chemistry and good production, even with Krejci’s injury. This line will be a solid line for the Bruins next year (barring a surprise move or an injury).
David Krejci’s biggest fault this season was taking penalties at just the worst possible time.
Penalties like this cost the Bruins one of their most effective penalty killers. The Canadiens won that game. Had the Bruins won this game (or several others where bad penalties were taken), the Bruins would have at least made the playoffs this year. There were times where Krejci acted less like Bergeron and more like Marchand. Krejci racked up 32 minutes in penalties this season, and a few of them happened at crucial times.
It’s unlikely Krejci will be moved during the offseason. The front office like him too much. Krejci should be an important part of the B’s next season as they try to get back into a playoff swing.
Final Grade: A-