Torey Krug became a fan favorite in Boston after the 5-foot-9 defenseman played bigger than his undersized frame and steamrolled Robert Thomas with a massive hit during the Bruins' 2019 Stanley Cup Finals battle with the St. Louis Blues.
After 523 games and nine seasons with Boston, Krug bid farewell to the Bruins in 2020 when he signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the Blues.
The 33-year-old Michigan native has been in and out of the Blues lineup with different injuries over the last four seasons. The team announced on Tuesday that he will miss the entire 2024-25 season after he undergoes surgery to address the pre-arthritic changes to his left ankle. The Blues revealed in July that the changes in Krug's ankle resulted from bone fractures the former Bruins defenseman suffered during his 13-year career. Krug planned to undergo rehabilitation for six to eight weeks and then be re-evaluated, hoping to avoid surgery.
Krug tallied 22 goals and 124 assists across four seasons with the Blues, with 208 hits and 325 blocked shots. He amassed 337 points (67 goals, 270 assists), 413 hits and 507 blocked shots with the Bruins from the 2011-12 season through 2019-2020.
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The Blues reportedly tried to trade Krug and a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers during the offseason in exchange for forward Kevin Hayes and defenseman Travis Sanheim. However, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Krug invoked the no-trade clause on his contract and held up the deal.
After missing the upcoming season, Krug will have two years at $6.5 million average annual value remaining on his contract.
Featured image via Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports Images
