News and rumors have been running rampant in Boston for the past week. There’s the report from Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette that Patrice Bergeron will be signing a one-year contract with the Bruins. Jim Montgomery is now the head coach of the Bruins. Finally, rumors have started popping up about David Krejci potentially being interested in returning to Boston.

While nothing is concrete to the rumors and they’ve been sprouting up periodically all year, it would certainly be an incredibly fortunate turn for the Bruins to get back both Krejci and Bergeron this offseason after what was starting to look like a very bleak 2022-23 roster, particularly at the center position. Both are miles above any in house options to replace them and anyone they would be able to get through free agency. 

Still the work for the Bruins this offseason cannot end with just bringing back Bergeron and Krejci. General manager (GM) Don Sweeney still has his work cut out for him as both players provide a great solution to the pressing issues facing them going into 2022-23, but neither will be a long-term solution to their lack of center depth in the pipeline.

One Last Ride for the Old Guard

Bringing the gang back together, especially when they’re still playing as well as they are, is never a bad idea. Bergeron is coming off of a record-setting fifth Selke Trophy win and 65 points in 73 games in 2022-23. Krejci is coming off 46 points in 51 games for HC Olomouc in the Czech league. He also played in 18 games internationally for the Czech in 2022-23, registering 18 points, including five goals. Rounding out the old guard that remains on the roster is Brad Marchand, who once again led the Bruins in points in 2022-23 with 80 in 70 games. 

I don’t think there is a single person in Boston who wouldn’t love to see the Bruins try for another Cup for these guys one last time. It will certainly be an uphill battle with the injury situation and the level of competition in the Atlantic Division, but bringing back Krejci at center would certainly make this a much more competitive team than they were in 2021-22. His presence instantly makes this a better team. 

It would also just be fun for the fan base to watch them all play together again, and after the anger around Bruce Cassidy’s firing, management desperately needs something to get back into the good graces of fans.