October isn’t just the month of Halloween and cooler weather – it’s also time for Boston Bruins hockey. Since last season’s frustrating finish at the hands of Carolina, there’s been one story spreading its way through Massachusetts coffee shops and city streets: David Krejci is back. Now, look, this isn’t the 2011 David Kejci that dished out 49 assists; it’s not the 2017 David Krejci who netted 23 goals, and it’s hard to say it’s the David Krejci who can lead a first line to a Stanley Cup victory like he did 12 years ago. All that said, his return to Beantown is important for this program, locker room, and second line, especially. With the team often rotating wingers on their first two lines, it’s not definitive as to who will spot Krejci on his left and right. However, Taylor Hall looks to land there – another superstar in need of a facilitator. The two didn’t have much time together when Hall arrived, and his speed and ability to protect the puck can only go so far. Hall needs someone who can hold the puck on a string and find him in stride. Now, he’s got it. A Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak trio, followed by a Hall-Krejci tandem gives the Halloween scaries to any team in the NHL – even if it’s not 2014 when both Krejci and Hall each collected at least 50 assists. In the regular season, we know what we’re going to see: a poised, patient Krejci who can run a power play unit and enter the offensive zone with ease. However, it’s May and June when Krejci will leave his biggest mark on the TD Garden ice. Two problems with the Bruins during their 2022 postseason run were their depth and lack of starpower. Now, that’s not to say this is 100 percent solved just because they signed a 36-year-old center this summer, but he definitely helps. When it’s time for the Bruins to face Eastern Conference stars such as Nikita Kucherov, Alex Ovechkin, and Auston Matthews, Boston’s starpower is better now. From Bergeron’s backchecking, to Marchand’s puck protection, to Pastrnak’s one-timer, to McAvoy’s expected leap this season, and now to Krejci’s pacing on the rush, the Bruins are here. That being said, Krejci’s return, in no way, means most of the responsibility should fall on him. Pastrnak and McAvoy must continue to grow, while the team’s more experienced players follow behind – literally and figuratively. The Bruins still match up well against the Maple Leafs and Capitals – two teams they’ve bested in recent years – and with a few more moves around the trade deadline, Causeway St. is bound to be rocking come May.
Joey Barrett can be reached at [email protected]
