David Krejci has announced his retirement from the NHL at 37.
It’s the second high-profile retirement for the Bruins this summer after Patrice Bergeron hung up the skates a few weeks back. Krejci had returned to the Bruins for one last season after spending 2021-22 back home with HC Olomouc in Czechia.
Krejci had 16 goals and 56 points in 70 games with the Bruins, his best NHL output since 2018-19. It was his ninth 50-plus-point stat line in his career, with his best season being a 73-point campaign during that same 2018-19 season.
Krejci helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011, and made the final in 2011 and 2019. While Krejci didn’t win any personal trophies, he led the playoff in points in 2011 and 2013 and was always a great No. 2 center with the Bruins.
“When I was drafted in 2004, I had no idea that I would be working with such incredible and driven people who would lead us to three Stanley Cup Finals, and winning the ultimate goal in 2011,” Krejci said in a statement posted on Boston’s Twitter page.
“I have made so many great friendships throughout the organization. You have always been there for me whenever I needed something and I will always be here for you.”
Krejci finishes his NHL career with 231 goals and 555 assists for 786 points in 1,032 career games with the Bruins.
Internationally, Krejci won bronze with Czechia twice, including at the 2022 World Championship.
The Bruins have $429,166 in projected cap space, with the team looking much different without Bergeron and Krejci. The team’s center depth will look much different, with Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle taking the top two middleman roles. Morgan Geekie and Jesper Boqvist are also projected to fill the role deeper in the lineup. It’s in stark contrast to Boston’s lineup that put up the best regular season in NHL history.
Boston ultimately was beaten in seven games by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.
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