Boston Bruins center David Krejci has announced his retirement from hockey, bringing an end to his successful NHL career. Krejci, who spent his entire career with the Bruins after being drafted by the team in 2004, leaves behind an impressive legacy. With 786 points in 1,032 regular-season games, he currently sits ninth on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list. Let’s take a closer look at Krejci’s career and what his retirement means for the Bruins.
Krejci’s best season came in 2008-09 and 2018-19 when he recorded 73 points. However, he will be most remembered for his performance during the Bruins’ 2010-11 Stanley Cup-winning season. Centering the team’s top line alongside Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton, Krejci played a crucial role in their championship run. His exceptional play during the playoffs earned him the nickname “Playoff Krech.” In fact, he led all playoff scorers with 23 points that season. Krejci continued to excel in the postseason throughout his career, accumulating 128 points in 160 playoff games.
Known for his ability to slow down the game and create space for himself and his teammates, Krejci’s style of play was effective in an increasingly fast-paced NHL. Despite not playing in the NHL during the 2021-22 season, Krejci made a successful return to Boston in 2022-23, scoring 56 points in 70 games.
With Krejci’s retirement, the Bruins lose a talented scorer and a veteran leader. His presence in the locker room was valued by his teammates, who appreciated his calm demeanor and dry sense of humor. In particular, Krejci played a significant role in David Pastrnak’s breakout season in 2022-23, where Pastrnak set career highs with 61 goals and 52 assists. Pastrnak referred to Krejci as his “big brother,” highlighting the impact Krejci had on his development.
However, Krejci’s retirement is not the only significant loss for the Bruins. Patrice Bergeron, another key figure in the team’s success, also departed earlier in the offseason. With both Krejci and Bergeron gone, the Bruins find themselves lacking depth at the center position. Pavel Zacha, who previously played as the team’s No. 2 left wing, is expected to step up and fill the void left by Krejci and Bergeron. Zacha had a breakout season in 2022-23, recording 57 points and dressing for all 82 games. Charlie Coyle will also be asked to take on a larger role as he moves up to the second line.
The retirement of a player like Krejci inevitably raises questions about whether his number will be retired by the Bruins. Five of the six retired Bruins ahead of Krejci on the team’s all-time scoring list have their numbers hanging at TD Garden, so it is possible that No. 46 will join them.
In conclusion, David Krejci’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Boston Bruins. His contributions to the team, both on and off the ice, will be remembered by fans and teammates alike. As the Bruins move forward without Krejci and Bergeron, they will look to their young players like Zacha and Coyle to step up and fill the void. The legacy of David Krejci in Boston is one of skill, leadership, and success, and he will be missed by Bruins fans everywhere.