I’m not keen on posting every rumor linking the Red Wings to Boston Bruins defenseman and unrestricted free agent-to-be Torey Krug. However, the Boston Globe’s Matt Porter did a good job of theorizing Krug’s “fits” with several teams around the league (via Kukla’s Korner), assuming that he should leave Boston via free agency or trade. I feel this little game of how-Krug-would-fit-here was interesting enough to post.
The Bruins will be a lesser team without Krug’s puck-moving ability, no question. It’s fair to wonder if he will be less effective without Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy as his right-side partners. It’s also fair to wonder if Krug, whose capability as a defender is limited by his size and lack of high-end speed, is worth building a defense around. But some team with cap space will be obliged.
The most obvious fit is Detroit, which could easily sell fans on his playoff experience, production, and local roots. Krug could be the leader the Red Wings desire, replace Filip Hronek as the power-play quarterback, and bring along 19-year-old prospect Moritz Seider, whose game is similar to Carlo’s. Krug played for Wings coach Jeff Blashill in juniors, and grew up a fan of Steve Yzerman, Detroit’s GM.
Porter continues, listing Montreal, New Jersey, Buffalo, Ottawa, Los Angeles and Calgary (perhaps via a trade) as all potential landing spots for Krug.
Again, I don’t see him inking a long-term contract with a rebuilding Red Wings team–Krug has made it clear that he wants to pursue both a payday and a championship window–but stranger things have happened.
