The term of David Krejci’s current contract covers whatever is left of this suspended season, and the next one after that.
Though he has had plenty of time to ponder his future in the 46 days between the NHL’s March 12 pause and Monday, the veteran Bruins center believes he isn’t playing out the string.
“I’m not planning on retiring, that’s for sure,” said Krejci, who turns 34 Tuesday, on a Zoom call with local reporters. “I want to play after that. How long or what’s going to happen, I don’t know. I guess we’ll see what happens after that next year. But definitely not planning on going into the next season as it being my last.”
Krejci, with 1,043 regular season and playoff games on his resume, has remained productive in his 14th NHL season, having posted a 13-30—43 line in 61 games this year, while battling several injuries. He tied his career high in points last season (20-53—73).
Should he stay in good health, he could keep going into his late 30s. The Bruins may find keeping him a tricky exercise in salary cap management.
In the summer of 2021, the two-time playoff leading scorer will command a $7 million salary, with a team-high $7.25 million cap hit. Younger and less expensive centers, like Charlie Coyle and prospect Jack Studnicka, could be pushing him for ice time.
General manager Don Sweeney’s business that summer includes a new pact for Brandon Carlo ($3.5 million in salary), and perhaps an extension for longtime netminder Tuukka Rask ($6.5 million; has openly mused about retiring). He will also be thinking about an upcoming extension for Charlie McAvoy, who will be entering the last year of his $7.3 million contract.
But more immediately, Sweeney will try to sign Torey Krug to a long-term extension before the start of next season. Other Bruins players, including Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk and Anders Bjork, will command their share of the pie. If captain Zdeno Chara wants to return at age 43, the Bruins will find a way to keep him. Backup goalie Jaroslav Halak doesn’t have that cachet.
Considering that, and the fact the cap structure may be less forgiving than that of this paused season (upper limit: $81.5 million), the Bruins may not offer Krejci another long-term, big-money deal.
If he remains here, he would likely earn a one- or two-year tag at a reduced (though not bargain-basement) price. Since he will be 35, the Bruins would have to carry his full salary and performance bonuses on their salary cap if he cannot play or retires. Another team, be it in the NHL or his native Czechia, could offer a cushier landing spot.
Krejci, the Bruins’ first choice (second round, 63rd overall) in the 2004 draft, signed his current six-year, $43.5 million contract when he was coming off the 2013 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
When the season paused, Krejci was thinking about a return trip. He hasn’t stopped.
“I watch YouTube highlights and things like that pretty much every single day,” he said. “You know, we were in a really good position, with [12] games left. Pretty big [divisional] lead.
"I understand, playoffs is a different league. Everyone starts from zero. But how far we went last year in the playoffs and the way we were doing so far this year, we were obviously feeling pretty good about ourselves.
“That’s a little frustrating. But at the same time, if you turn on the TV to CNN, you see the bigger picture. It puts life in perspective a little, that there’s more important things than hockey.”
Other tidbits from Krejci, who spoke from his offseason home in Charleston, S.C.:
▪ On last Tuesday’s Zoom reunion of the 2011 Cup champs:
“Oh yeah, that was cool. Pretty much everyone being there, just kind of hanging out. We obviously stayed on a little longer once we went offline. It was cool to see everyone and nice to see we still have a really good relationship after all those years. That’s why you play the sport, right? You obviously want to create lots of memories and stay friends when you’re done playing. I think half the guys on that chat are already done playing, but we’re all still pretty close. And we have lots of fun together when we get together.”
▪ Krejci’s favorite memory of that season, other than winning the Cup, was the preseason trip to Prague. “That was extra special to me,” Krejci said. On the reunion call, a few teammates made veiled references to the trip being quite a party.
▪ Like many players who have young families, Krejci was lukewarm to the idea of being sequestered with other NHL teams in an “Olympic Village” setting.
“Not really sure if I’m a fan,” he said, “but we all want to finish the season, so whatever’s going to be the best scenario, the safest place, the safest way to finish the season, I guess that’s what we’ll have to do.”
▪ He does not have a gym at his house, so he’s gone back to basics with his training: squats, pushups, running, biking. “Just trying to stay positive and do the work,” he said.
▪ A typical day also includes watching TV with his wife, Naomi, and chasing his two young children, Elina, 5, and Everett, 1. Everyone’s healthy, but the parents are fatigued.
“For whatever reason, my little guy, he’s been waking up every day around 3, 4, 5 a.m., just kind of screaming,” he said. “That’s not helping us.”
▪ If the NHL restarts without fans, as is expected, what would it be like to win the Cup without fans in the building?
“You always think about winning the Cup, lifting it up with the crowd there, great surroundings and stuff. Then have a parade back in the city. But I understand, I guess it’s not possible right now. It is what it is. There’s more important things than that. I’m sure people would watch it on TV,” he mused. “TV’s been pretty boring with no live sports right now.”
Matt Porter can be reached at matthew.porter@globe.com. Follow him on BlueSky at mattyports.bsky.social.