David Krejci
David Krejci‘s situation isn’t as pressing as Torey Krug or Charlie Coyle. Those two aforementioned are destined to become the unrestricted free agents next summer, whereas Krejci won’t be a free agent for another two summers.
Would the Bruins somehow consider trading Krejci next season?
No, that’s very unlikely.
Krejci is coming off a 73-point season, matching his career-best and he has been able to keep himself healthy. Why would the Boston Bruins look to trade a player that has the second-line center duties nailed down and increased his production last year, after all.
But, what are the chances he stays as a Bruin in October 2020?
It’s not 100%, certainly.
Next summer, the Bruins salary cap problems pop up again (they would have to re-sign Krug or Coyle, for example) and Krejci’s $7.25 million salary-cap hit until 2021 is significant.
If the Bruins don’t intend to extend Krejci’s contract after 2021, there is no reason why should they not at least explore the trade option.
With one year left on his contract (talking about the 2020 summer projection); a reliable guy posting at least 70 points per season is worth a look for any team around the league. The Boston Bruins would find a trade partner if they wanted to.
Still, it’s more probable than not, that the Bruins keep Krejci and extend his contract when it expires in 2021.
Would it be a right call letting Coyle go in 2020 because of his salary demands and then re-sign Krejci a year after?
Have in mind, that there is a six-year gap between the two centers. The Czech forward will be 35 in 2021. The Bruins probably extend Krejci for a less salary and on the short-term deal.
Also of note, the first-line Bruins center Patrice Bergeron is 34 already. It wouldn’t hurt to aim for a much younger center in the free agency either in 2020 or 2021, and that’s why Krejci’s time with the Bruins might be up ahead of the 2020-21 season.
If I had to make a guess; I would bet to re-sign Krejci for a two or three-year deal in 2021. But you just cannot keep extending ageing centers forever.
From the trio of Krug, Krejci and Coyle; Krejci’s odds to commence the 2020-2021 season with Boston are the highest ones.
It’s very much a case of ‘watch this space’ with the rest; new deals for Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo will obviously shape this and they’ve yet to land.