Bruins' contract talks with David Krejci will continue

While some attention has been on the future of teammate Tuukka Rask of late, the Boston Bruins have another major impending free agent in center David Krejci. Like Rask, Krejci is reaching the end of a long-term, big-money contract; and while he won’t get another at 35 years old by next season, Krejci does not appear to be done. The career Bruin matched a career-high with 73 points in 2018-19 and was a top-five scorer for Boston last season and trailed only David Pastrnak in shooting efficiency. He capped the campaign by reminding everyone of his career-long knack for playoff success with a team-best 12 points in 13 games. Krejci looks poised to extend his career beyond this season, likely in Boston, but there has been little public talk of an extension thus far. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta provides an explanation, reporting that Krejci’s camp opted not to open talks this offseason. Krejci’s preference was to hold off on negotiations through the brief off-season as well as through training camp. However, the two sides are expected to begin talks once the season begins. If and when a resolution is reached, the extension could also remain as a handshake agreement, as many might this season considering the Expansion Draft ramifications of signing would-be UFAs. With that in mind, Boston fans should not be discouraged that Krejci is entering his 15th season with the Bruins without a new contract, nor should they worry if a deal is not done during the season; talks will be ongoing, and the likelihood of an extension is strong.

• Unlike Krejci, Toronto Maple Leafs starting goaltender Frederik Andersen does not appear likely to negotiate an extension during this season. The impending free agent, likely to be one of the best names available on the 2021 goalie market, did not have any extension talks with Toronto this offseason, reports TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. And now that the season is about to begin, LeBrun does not expect those talks to finally occur until next offeason. LeBrun notes that Andersen’s agent, Claude Lemieux, prefers not to discuss contracts in-season due to the distraction it may cause his clients. Obviously, any number of factors could shift the status quo and force the two sides to come together during the season, but it is unlikely. As such, Andersen is expected to head into the summer without a new contract, and the Maple Leafs will have a small window of time to review the season and work out an extension before their starter becomes a free agent.
• Andersen’s fellow countryman and former NHLer Nicklas Jensen was set to be a free agent this offseason but no more. The skilled Danish forward has signed a two-year extension with the KHL’s Jokerit, the club announced. The move comes as a bit of a surprise, as Jensen has re-signed with his current club in-season for the second year in a row, never allowing for NHL teams to make an offer during the offseason. Jensen has shown that he is worthy of a second chance in North America, too. The 27-year-old power forward, a 2011 first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, may not have found much success in the NHL last time around, but now a more mature player, Jensen has been a prolific scorer in the KHL. Jensen led Jokerit and finished fourth in the league in points per game in an injury-shortened 2019-20 with 25 points in 27 games and has never scored below .69 points per game through four KHL seasons, including his current campaign. A capable scorer with size and speed who has established himself in the KHL and previously flashed immense potential in the AHL, Jensen would seemingly be an intriguing target for an NHL team. A two-year extension taking him into his 30s does not completely eliminate the chance of an NHL comeback for Jensen, but makes it all the more unlikely.