Dom Lunardo | March 24th, 2020
Like all professional sports leagues across North America, the NHL, for all intents and purposes, is swimming in unknown and unprecedented waters while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This global pandemic has forced the National Hockey League to hit the pause button due to reasons on both the safety and well-being of its players, team officials, and fans alike.
Looking ahead to July 1st is always an exciting time for everyone around the NHL. July 1st, in addition to Canada Day to our friends north of the border, is also a time for NHL free agency, more commonly referred to in recent years as “Free Agent Frenzy”. At this time, unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are free to sign contracts with other clubs. Torey Krug, a defenseman on the Boston Bruins, is one of those marquee free agents. With the NHL season on standby, let’s dive in and take a closer look at what the free-agent market holds for the young Bruins blue-liner.
Krug’s Production
Before the halt of the NHL campaign the Livonia, Michigan native was having quite the season on the Bruins blue-line, posting 9 goals and 40 assists for 49 points in 61 games played. Since breaking into the league during the 2013 postseason, Krug has been a mainstay and major part of the Bruins D-core, helping the team reach Stanley Cup Finals in both 2013 and 2019. His foot speed, agility, vision, and puck-moving skills have made Krug an absolute force in Beantown, much to the joy of the Bruins faithful across New England. It’s safe to say that Krug fits in like a new glove in Boston with the likes of Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, and Matt Grzelcyk as teammates on the back end. Add to this the dynamic tandem in net of Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, and Boston’s got themselves a pretty mean line of defense, to say the least.
Potential Contract
What will a new deal look like for Torey Krug and the Boston Bruins? Well, that depends on a couple of factors. Over the past few years under the leadership of General Manager Don Sweeney, the Bruins have had their fair share of contractual obligations. Most recently with superstar winger David Pastrnak, and this past summer with the restricted free agent contracts of stud blue-liners Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. If recent history is any indication, “The Boston Way” if we can call it that prefers to conduct their business in a certain fashion, placing the team first. This basically translates to the mantra of putting the collective needs of the team first, rather than the individual financials “wants” of the player. David Pastrnak’s current $40 million, 6-year deal pays him $6.67 million annually, quite astonishing for a player of his caliber. Sweeney and the front office can boast that his contract is the best bargain/”bang for his buck” in the league. With a first-place club and bright future ahead, look for Krug to remain a Bruin beyond this season. In fact, look for other free agents like youngsters Anders Bjork and Jake Debrusk to also be back, wearing the black and yellow next season. As for specific contract details for Torey Krug, my guess would be a 4-5 year term with an average annual value of anywhere between $5-7.3 million. Like I said earlier, its “The Boston Way”
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