Bruins get ready to make the hardest call on Krug

There hasn’t been a shortage of rumours when it comes to Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. It may soon be coming to an end, however it might not have the ending everyone hopes for in BeanTown… 

According to team insider Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Krug will be due for a hefty pay raise when his current contract expires next summer and this causes a serious problem for the Bruins. Cap Friendly indicates that his current annual salary-cap hit is 5.25-million and the expected pay raise might be too expensive for the Bruins to retain. 

Shinzawa believes this summer will likely be their final opportunity to move Krug. It would be too risky for Boston to wait for the next trade deadline, especially if the Bruins in the thick of the playoff race and need to wait around for the blue liner’s eight-team no-trade list. 

This is surely heartbreaking for Bruins fans to consider, and management will struggle with that idea too. 

“Nobody in the Bruins organization likes to consider a roster without Krug. But it might be tricky to find a sweet spot between the respective wishes: a much-deserved and career-defining contract for Krug, and a deal that does not hold value in the latter years for the Bruins,” writes Shinzawa. 

The Bruins have to keep in mind that they need to get restricted free agent defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo re-signed this summer as both are coming off entry-level contract and both will be looking for significant pay raises. 

There are also other players to consider; forward Danton Heinen is also completing his ELC. Jake DeBrusk and Matt Grzelcyk will be restricted free agents next summer.

It all comes down to priorities… 

It remains to be seen how much the Bruins will want to invest in a veteran blue liner like Krug. We don’t know if he would consider a hometown discount as well… 

The Bruins and Krug have a lot to talk about this summer…