Boston Bruins: Torey Krug Homecoming To Detroit Unaffordable

The Boston Bruins’ potentially biggest challenge on the free-agent front as of the 2020 offseason will be Torey Krug and his contract extension. If there are any teams realistically luring Krug to sign with them, the Red Wings, probably, stand the brightest opportunity.

Torey Krug, formerly an undrafted player, is set for an immense long-term contract next year. As of now, the Boston Bruins are still happy on the sunset of his four-year deal worth $5.25 million per campaign until the end of the 2019-20 season. But what´s next for Krug?

On the verge of the first Bruins´ game of the season facing the Detroit Red Wings, in Detroit, two of the most influential media outlets, The Athletic and the Boston Globe, came up with the engaging question. Would the Red Wings lure Torey Krug to come back home?

Krug, the Michigan native, the former Michigan State University captain, has certainly dreamed as a kid playing in a Red Wings uniform. Instead, it was another Original Six team signing him as a college free agent in March 2012. The Boston Bruins.

After eight years, Krug will find himself on the significant crossroads. He will be 29 when choosing his new contract. He will attempt to cash in as much as possible. Preferably on a seven or an eight-year contract.

The facts are pretty much straight. The Bruins are not trading Krug ahead of the Trade Deadline. Krug has demonstrated his intentions to stay with the Bruins, and even take less to remain a Bruin. But, what if there is a call from Steve Yzerman?

When Yzerman was winning Stanley Cups with the Red Wings serving as Detroit´s captain, Krug was watching it as a little kid, and lately increasing young hockey player. As per the NHL draft system, without much projection.

Krug has reached 300 NHL points in a game on Tuesday in Montreal versus the Canadiens. There is one thing that caught my attention. Kris Letang secured his 500th point earlier this season. Letang, four years older than Krug, has played in 285 games more. Krug´s point-per-game ratio is 0.63, Letang´s at 0.66. Letang is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a Norris Trophy finalist.

To reach 300 points in his 477th NHL game, that´s a genuine achievement for an undrafted player. Just to complete that Letang´s thought, the 32-year-old right-shot blueliner has three more years left on his contract worth $7,250,000 per campaign.

Krug would undoubtedly receive more on the free-agent open market than in Boston. The question for him is, does he want to take less to stay with the winning team? The Red Wings cannot win that argument right now but in two or three years… Well, who knows?

When Krug signs his new, let´s say, eight-year deal, he has to project his future, as well. Where does he want to be as the 36-year-old veteran? Still in Boston, or in the seventh season in his hometown, Detroit?

For the Bruins, to let Torey Krug walk away in the free agency to their divisional rivals, that´s unaffordable. Instead, it should be the top priority for Boston to re-sign Krug.