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Bruins Free-Agency: Bruins Bring Back the Band

By Joe Palencia

Aug 19, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward David Krejci (46) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during game five of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward David Krejci (46) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during game five of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Bruins announced on Monday, August 8th that they have re-signed legends Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. With all of the missing pieces already on the roster, these signings are a big boost to the list of healthy players.

What Will They Add?

Bruins Bergeron
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 14: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck in the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden on December 14, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Patrice Bergeron is the 4th highest scorer in Bruins history and the current captain of the squad. He will be starting his 19th season in Boston. Bergeron is a great defender. He is coming off a record fifth Frank J. Selke Award which is given to the best defensive forward. He posted a total of 65 points with 25 goals and 40 assists. Bergeron is a worker on both sides and has shown time again that he can put the team on his back and lead by example. He is a great leader and will help Coach Jim Montgomery immensely as he teaches the team a new play style.

David Krejci spent last season in the Czechia League where the Sternberk native led his team HC Olomouc in goals, assists, and points. Prior to his time in Czechia, the 36-year-old forward played 15 seasons for the Boston Bruins in the NHL. Krejci is 8th all-time in scoring for the Bruins and led the team in scoring in their championship run in 2011. Krejci will add another leader to the locker room and someone that can take a firm hold of the second center position after Bergeron lines up on the first line. His impact off the ice is big too. He is very close to star winger, David Pastrnak who is eligible for a big extension with the Bruins. Re-signing Pasta is crucial to the future of the team and hopefully signing Krejci is a move to try and get him to ink the extension.

Having some veterans who have as much experience as these two have with this organization is key to building and maintaining a culture that produces winning at a constant rate.

Did David Krejci Regress in The Czechia League

Aug 12, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) celebrates after scoring a goal on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) celebrates after scoring a goal on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

After Krejci’s contract with the Bruins expired in 2021, the Czechia native decided to move back home and sign with a team in his home country’s pro league. He spent the last year terrorizing Czechia defenses and spending time with his family. Seems like he missed the competition here in the states because after rumors started circulating that the Center was eyeing a comeback, Don Sweeney had stoked the flames when he said that the two parties had been in contact and then followed it up by pouring gasoline on the fire when rumors that a contract had been offered. Fans were left waiting in the dark for some time while and when the news broke on Monday about the return of these legends fans were delighted to see some familiar faces come back home. I don’t think that the season in the Czechia league will have too much of an effect on David Krejci. Being the Leading scorer on his team, he was not tearing up the league like some video game on Rookie difficulty. I think the physicality was similar to that of the NHL. I do think there will be an adjustment period for Krejci, but I feel that if he plays a few of the opening pre-season games he will catch up to speed in no time. At least he is coming in at a time when everyone is learning the coach’s playbook.

One Last Hoorah

David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are both in their mid-thirties and this is probably their last go around in the league. Fans that have grown up with them as Bruins are now realizing that they will soon be without their childhood heroes and are gripping this last season with tremendous strength with hopes that their heroes can go out on top as they deserve. Bruins fans, enjoy this season because it is probably the last we see of Bergeron and Krejci.

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