Sorry, Bruins fans. But David Krejci will not return to Boston this season.
The longtime Bruins center announced he was leaving for his native Czech Republic ahead of the 2021-22 NHL season. There always was speculation about whether he'd return, especially considering Krejci never filed retirement papers nor said "retire" in his announcement.
Krejci's season with HC Olomouc came to an end Thursday, and with the Bruins needing a second-line center, those questions and hopes for a return became more prominent.
But Boston general manager Don Sweeney on Sunday squashed any hope of Krejci and the Bruins reuniting for the stretch run.
"He's decided to stay with his family in the Czech Republic," Sweeney told reporters after practice at Warrior Ice Arena, per team-provided audio.
So, that settles that.
Could Krejci return next season? Anything is possible, but we definitely know he won't be centering the second line as the Bruins push for the Stanley Cup this season.
