As soon as the Bruins got contracts done with RFA defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, discussions quickly shifted as to whether or not they’d be able to keep pending UFA Torey Krug in the fold. Those talks have indeed started as Krug confirmed to reporters, including NBC Sports Boston’s Joe Haggerty, that he’s hopeful about getting a deal done at some point:
It’s exciting. Now that we’re in the regular season I don’t want to talk too much about it just out of respect for my teammates and the process. But it’s obviously exciting when you’re talking about where you could be for the future while taking care of the present obviously. That’s the most important thing. But it’s an exciting time and hopefully things work out.
Meanwhile, GM Don Sweeney declined to comment on any specifics of the negotiations.
The 28-year-old will carry a $5.25MM cap hit this season, one that is certainly a team-friendly deal given the offensive impact he provides after cracking the 50-point mark in each of the last three seasons while actually producing at a higher point-per-game rate in the postseason. He’s certainly going to be in line for a considerable raise as a result.
Boston currently has a little under $58MM in committed contracts for 2020-21 to a total of 13 players. The bridge deals that McAvoy and Carlo ultimately took keep their AAV low enough to keep Krug in the fold although the back-loaded nature of their deals means that their cap hit will be a fair bit higher next time around which is something that Sweeney will need to keep in mind. That said, there appears to be enough cap space for the Bruins to be able to afford to keep their top offensive threat on the back end in the fold for the foreseeable future.
Eventually the Bruins will have to figure out how to rid themselves of the $6 million cap hit in the Backes contract, unless someone is moved out or retires , that way Krug can pick up a little extra pocket change to add on to extension. No disrespect to Backes always been good defensive player in his early years with Blues, and developed some offensive skills as his defense against the best players over the years , led to a lot of secondary scoring for him and players around him.
The next extension signing should and must be Coyle. He loved playing at home, he’s big, strong, and fast. One of the best in the league protecting the puck. Coyle is the future at Center for us. Krug to be honest should have been moved during the draft weekend when his value was highest it’s ever been and probably ever going to be. It was fresh in everyone’s mind what he had done during the playoff run. To me, a 40 year plus Bruins fan, it was way overrated. Just because he made a huge hit that honestly should have been a penalty, does zip for his overall season play. How many forget replay after replay, after replay of pucks going in our net, and the thing always seen in every video is Krug in the background either getting up from being run over, Krug coming up ice because he left his partner high and dry from the missed the net shot he had taken on the other end, or seeing a stick being broken on our crossbar because his guy pushed him out of the way and scored!!!! I’m sorry but that happens way to often. These D men that score points get big money and after 2-3 seasons of a 6-7 year bad contract the team is always trying to get rid of them because it never works. There’s so many and this team can’t afford that if they want to continue to compete. At this time he will command at least $7-$9 million per year and at least 6 years!!!! NO WAY!!! Not with Carlo and McAvoy still on the team. And it’s time to put McAvoy up to the first PP unit. He’s got a great shot and bows the time to show what he’s got. I’d much rather pay him a huge deal 3 years from now than overpay a player that really can’t play D that well, and not be able to keep the studs that will be here still young 3 years from now.
We should have made a great move and traded Krug when the iron was hot. Instead, just like many have done in the past, they fall in love with players that other teams would have moved when the moving was hot. Listening to Neely and Sweeney, the love story will continue and it will be just another horrible signing by Sweeney. How he got GM of the yeR is crazy. His record was horrible up until the last season. Then, he finally get that winger that I guess was supposed to wake up DK46, and blows it and let’s him get away FOR LESS MONEY THAN HE AAS MAKJNG WHEN LLAYING HERE!!!! How does that happen? All he had to do was strike when the iron was hot. And they didn’t. Flat out horrible. Our PP could have K Miller as the QB and still score all the time. It’s been time to move on from Krug and let the draft picks that actually worked start to develope. If not, it’s a total waste of money because we just got beat by a heavy team, guess what fans, teams are getting bigger again, it’s time to stop getting run over and get bigger our selves. No more o getting run over. It’s very hard to watch, especially when there contract will be in the $8 million range.
Doesn’t matter cause on this date in history John Tavares is the captain of your Toronto maple leafs
Remember that time Toronto went past the first round? Yeah, me either.
Didn’t have a captain then
link to hockey-reference.com
Captain: Mats Sundin
(Doesn’t seem that long ago, but it is…)
Like that’s going to matter. He also has very little “winning” experience. Again, they finish 2nd or 3rd, and get run over in the 1st round. Can’t wait to watch again.
What happened to Torey. What is this Toronto bashing night?
Gerald – no love for Torey (from the others, I guess)… :(
Love Tavares but until Toronto wins, what are we talking about. They have good talent probably need more. Great city and let’s face it Boston fans are spoiled but …Hello Toronto time to step up and smell the coffee, make the donuts etc.
Mac after reading the novel written above DAH! and Toronto Bash fest , I see there is no LOVE for Krug.
I thought when coming on NHL Hockey Rumors , I would enjoy reading the stories on here, and I thought this was about Hockey Rumors, all I see is bashing others don’t see nothing about hockey rumors , bashing one’s on teams or their own team ownership , as a hockey fan for many years , I watch hockey for the pure enjoyment of the greatest game going. Can’t say I haven’t said some bad things about others , why don’t we just enjoy the game and watch it. so for now will just read stories and watch my hockey. if I offend someone flag me or report me, really doesn’t matter am going to enjoy hockey for myself. Now I know heat index is affecting me.
Krug is an extremely key part of this Bruins team, and he’s better on defense than many Boston fans give him credit for!! his speed and passing ability makes up for his size plus he can take hits that many couldn’t!! I have been watching this team for over 50 years thru good and bad and Krug is without any doubt the characteristic Boston Bruin.