Boston Bruins: 3 players that most need an injury-free campaign

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 10: Boston Bruins Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) skates off the ice with an apparent injury during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins on March 10, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 10: Boston Bruins Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) skates off the ice with an apparent injury during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins on March 10, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) looks to pass during a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on September 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 23: Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) looks to pass during a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on September 23, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

David Krejci

This might well be a moot point, given Monday saw David Krejci skating in a non-contact practice jersey. With the season opener just days away, we’re already questioning if he’s fit in time.

Ignoring that though, it’s vital for the Boston Bruins to retain David Krejci in the top-six. There isn’t really another option at center that could step up to second-line duties and fulfil them as well as Krejci does.

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Not only that, given he has the most expensive contract on the entire Boston Bruins roster, you want to get your money’s worth out of him. Every day that David Krejci is injured is a day you’ve missing out on more salary cap space. Of course, that ignores any sort of long-term injury which could indeed be written off against the cap.

Either way though, Krejci plays a key role ensuring the second line runs smoothly, not least of all putting up a ton of points. Given how much of the team’s points come from the top line, it’s vital that at least the second line is able to offer a strong secondary scoring punch – Krejci is a key part of that for the Boston Bruins.

Last year, he only missed the one game, the season before it was eighteen missed games. None missed in 2016-17, ten missed the year before. If the trend continues, you’d count on him missing a few games.

Whether that tally starts on Thursday night or not is another question.