Boston Bruins
Sweeney Would Like To Keep Torey Krug But Does Not Rule Out Trade
Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is still digesting one of the most painful losses in Bruins history. This summer and next he will have several team-altering decisions one of the biggest challenges he will face is how he will keep star defenseman Torey Krug in black and gold beyond next season. Krug is now entering the final season of a four-year deal he signed on June 30, 2016, with an annual cap hit of $5.2 million.
As of this July 1, Sweeney can extend the 28-year-old rearguard who had a career-best 16 assists and two goals in the Bruins recent run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
On Monday, Sweeney expressed his desire to keep a player that has become a key cog on the Bruins blue line and in the dressing room but wasn’t ruling out a trade either due to the fact he must also re-up with two other key blueliners in Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy who are RFA’s this offseason.
“Have the opportunity starting July 1 to open up talks,” he pointed out. “Again the RFA market and some of our internal things will dictate the timing of those conversations. If somebody blew us away, every player has to be looked at in that way when your organization, you just have to, you’re doing a disservice if you don’t. But it would take a pretty unique opportunity to part with Torey. I think he’s a big part of the fabric of our group, he’s kind of that next wave of leadership that we talk about in behind some of the guys that have carried that mantle for a long period of time. But he’s an important part of our club.”
As for Krug, he let the media know Friday has let the team know that he would love nothing more than to stay a Bruin for years to come.
“I’d personally love to get something done quickly,” Krug said after the team’s exit interviews. “This is an important place in my heart. A place I’ve wanted to play my whole career so ideally it would be something that gets done. But obviously, it’ll all be done in due time. I want to be here. I’m sure they feel the same way so hopefully, that’s the case.”
One of Krug’s close friends and Bruins hall of fame defenseman Ray Bourque also told BostonHockeyNow how much Krug loves playing and living in Boston.
“I’m pretty sure he’d love to spend his career here,” Bourque said. “He and his family love this place, this area and I hope it happens for them, that would be great.”