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It sure sounds like Torey Krug won’t be back in Boston

September 8, 2020, 10:00 AM ET [22 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Boston Bruins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For the first time in his career, Torey Krug is set to become an unrestricted free agent and it sure sounds like he’s going to take full advantage of it.

Knowing what was beyond the expiration of the four-year, $21 million contract signed in June of 2016, Krug has admitted in the past that a hometown discount is something he’s at least thought about.

But now, with the Bruins season officially over and two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs standing between Krug and officially becoming a UFA, there’s no more talk of a hometown discount.

With the salary cap remaining flat for at least the next two seasons, some have suggested the league’s top UFAs such as Taylor Hall, Alex Pietrangelo and Krug may look to sign a one-year contract in order to lay a bridge to that next big contract a year later when it’s expected more clarity on the future salary cap is available.

But that idea is a something Krug would not consider.

“I’m very opposed to that. I’ve bet on myself and I’ve taken shorter term deals and less amount of money my whole career now,” Krug said in his end of the year availability last week.

"This is my time in terms of my value at its peak and I have the ability and I’m in a position now where I need to make the most of it. I’m very opposed to something like that. I’ve done it long enough now. That’s the situation I’m facing.”

In a normal world, free agency would have begun on July 1st, captains’ practices would be underway and training camps would be opening in the coming days. And by now, we would know if Krug was back in Boston, continuing to run the Bruins top power play unit, or if the 29-year old has changed jerseys for the first time in his career.

But normal is not a thing anymore.

One thing we do know is talks have not been too frequent between the Bruins and Krug’s camp as of last week.

“The contract [talks] was very, very few and far between, for whatever reason. And it just, it is what it is,” said Krug.

“As far as what it looks like, I don’t’ really know what the future holds in terms of the coming weeks. Free agency isn’t until about I think a week after the season ends in terms of the Stanley Cup being awarded. We’ll see. I guess there is a lot of time between now and then. I’m not really sure what the future holds and I’m willing to sit back and see what happens here. That’s pretty much all I got for you.”

If Krug and the Bruins are unable to come to terms on an extension before free agency finally does open, it’s expected that the interest in Krug will be very high. Teams such as the Red Wings and Canadiens have been rumored to have high interest in Krug.

Detroit makes perfect sense for Krug. They’re a young team in the process of a rebuild, have the cap space and are an appealing option for Krug who was born in Michigan and placed college hockey at Michigan State.

“I have to be honest; I haven’t thought about any other team or any other situation. It’s been – I was very truthful and honest with you guys when I told you I wasn’t thinking about it during the season,” said Krug. “I invested all my time in what’s going on with the Bruins. I was very hopeful that it would result in ending back up with the Bruins. So, I haven’t thought about any other team or any other situation, up to date.”

Like Krug, the Bruins are facing a unique situation as well, one that sees their top two left-shot defensemen in Zdeno Chara and Krug unsigned and set to become unrestricted free agents.

Since the start of the 2013-14 season—Krug’s first full season in the league—only Brent Burns, (454) Erik Karlsson, (440) Victor Hedman, (384) John Carlson, (381) Roman Josi, (379) and Keith Yandle (356) have more points among defenseman than Krug’s 335.

In that same span, only Yandle, (178) Karlsson (165) and Burns (162) have more power play points among defensemen then Krug’s 159.

Krug has been a key component to a Bruins core that has made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice since his arrival. He’s also been a big reason behind the Bruins rise to one of the league’s most dangerous power play units.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve done here in Boston over the years and being part of that core group, guys have come and gone,” said Krug. “I’ve managed to stay for, what is it, eight years now? And very happy that I was part of it. Hopefully it continues and hopefully I still am and that’s just the situation that’s here."

While Krug has often expressed a desire to stay in Boston, it’s becoming clearer that the desire may fade as it becomes more of a realization that returning to Boston is going to be difficult for both sides.

If this was indeed Krug’s last run in Boston, he had a parting message for the media. A message that made it sound like Krug has played his last game as a Bruin.

“I appreciate all you guys, all the questions over the years, good and bad. Your professionalism – hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon at the rinks and if not, I’ll see you elsewhere,” said Krug.

“But I appreciate you guys. Everyone that’s here in the chat that I’ve seen in person over the years, and I really appreciate everything. So, thank you.”
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