Boston Bruins forward David Krejci is looking for some chemistry.
David Krejci hasn’t had much luck keeping a steady linemate these last few seasons. At the end of the 2012-13 season, Nathan Horton asked to be traded so he and his family could get away from a big city market. The Bruins signed and then couldn’t hold on to Jarome Iginla, and then the Bruins made the move to get Milan Lucic out of Boston.
In the offseason, the Bruins and Loui Eriksson couldn’t come to terms. The veteran Swedish winger (who played great with Krejci) ended up signing with the Vancouver Canucks. So now, the 31-year old Czech native is back to square one, again.
Krejci is coming off a hip surgery and should be ready to play on opening night. He was on the B’s new practice rink in Brighton today testing his legs. Krejci is still hopeful to play in the World Cup of Hockey for the Czech Republic (although many of the fans and probably some of the B’s front office are hoping he’ll focus more on the Bruins than the World Cup).
Simply put, David Krejci wants his own Brad Marchand. He wants to have the kind of winger that will anticipate his moves perfectly and help the Bruins make magic out of nothing. While Krejci had some success with his fellow Czech David Pastrnak, he’s looking for a group that will propel ‘the Krejci line’ back into the top line slot.
“I feel like chemistry is something that is either there or it’s not,” offered Krejci on the subject. “You can’t really find it. It’s just there or not.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
“For me, I just have to play my game, be the best player I can be and then if the other guys are going to do the same thing it’s just about if we find the chemistry or not. It’s either going to be there or not. We played with Pasta together, and you could see from game one that we think alike. With Loui it’s the same thing. So I guess you can see it from day one if it’s going to work or not.”
So if we keep the two Czech players together, who is the best choice to put with them? The most reasonable choice would be Matt Beleskey. He brings physicality and scoring skills to that line. (It also lets me wear this jersey for another year.)
There are other possible choices. The B’s could feel that David Backes experience would be perfect for Krejci. If those two can find some quick chemistry, they would be a very dangerous second line. On the other hand, the addition of Jay Pandolfo and Bruce Cassidy to the coaching staff, the B’s may feel more comfortable with younger players and give the job to Frank Vatrano.
There is still a chance that the ghosts of Bruins past could haunt the TD Garden and give the opening night job to Jimmy Hayes.
Whomever the Bruins find to replace Eriksson, hopefully they hit it off well with Krejci. The Bruins will need their top-six forwards to power their game this season, and a little chemistry will certainly help.