The Bruins owe David Krejci’s return to Patrice Bergeron, not Bruce Cassidy’s sacking.
• Also read: NHL: Hurricanes agree with Necas
When general manager Don Sweeney decided to fire head coach Bruce Cassidy this summer, he hinted that a “new voice” would benefit some players.
Krejci had left the Bruins to play in his native Czech Republic in 2021-2022. However, he would have signed his new one-year contract with the Bruins with or without Cassidy.
“It would be a good story if I said yes,” Krejci said at a press conference on Tuesday. My decision was made before they hired the new coach. The termination [de Cassidy] has nothing to do with my decision to come back.”
play with the boys
Krejci had long considered going back to Massachusetts. He revealed it was talks with Quebecois Patrice Bergeron – who also made the decision to play with the Bruins for at least one more season – and David Pastrnak that motivated him to cross the Atlantic again.
“I have to give Bergeron and him credit [Pastrnak]. We’ve had so many conversations over the past few months about whether or not to come back. You are the reason I wanted to come back. Playing with these guys again.”
Krejci scored 20 goals and 46 points in 51 games with Olomouc HC in the Czech Premier League last season. He also had 215 goals and 730 points in 962 National Hockey League games, all with the Bruins.
Despite being closer to retirement now than the day he was drafted, the 36-year-old forward feels he still has a lot to bring to the Bruins.
“I feel like I still have a lot to offer. I know people talk about my age, but that’s just a number. I’m in good shape and of course I’ll come back to try and go all the way,” he said.