If you happen to be interested in the contractual future of one Torey Krug, an unrestricted free agent-to-be who happens to also be a Livonia native, Boston Bruins GM Cam Neely had this to say about Krug’s future with the Bruins, per WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin:
Speaking to the media via Zoom on Thursday, team president Cam Neely said the Bruins “love” Krug and what he’s turned into for the team, but also said he understands Krug’s desire to see what else is out there if Boston can’t meet his asking price.
“I understand the player’s side,” Neely said. “Being a player, you certainly understand where a player’s head’s at at times. I don’t begrudge Torey, if we can’t work something out that makes sense for him and his family, I do not begrudge him for looking to see if he can get a better deal elsewhere.
“We love Torey. We love what he’s brought to the organization both on and off the ice. He’s turned into a fabulous leader for us. But at the end of the day, both sides have to do what they feel is right, us for the organization and Torey for him and his family.”
Both Sweeney and coach Bruce Cassidy have identified a need for more offensive contributions from the blue line, something Krug certainly brings, but while it may make short-term sense to invest big money in Krug, it’s also easy to see the other side of not wanting to commit big money to a smaller defenseman into his mid- to late-30s.
If Krug finds that big-money, long-term deal elsewhere, which he probably will (hello, Red Wings), and decides that’s what is best for him and his family, then the Bruins may very well decide that no matter how much they like Krug, matching it is not what’s best for them.
Continued; again, I don’t see Krug wanting to come to a rebuilding Red Wings team at 29 years of age, but stranger things have happened.
