David Krejci To Miss 4-6 Weeks Due to MCL Tear
Things for the Bruins just went from looking bad to even worse. They have not only lost defenseman Kevan Miller for the remainder of the season due to a dislocated shoulder during this rough road trip but the Bruins just released even more bad news today.
During the contest on February 20th, Friday night between the Bruins and the St Louis Blues, David Krejci left the game and did not return. The injury came during a play in the second period of the Bruins 5-1 loss to the Blues.
Krejci attempted to check Alex Steen, and the two collided knee to leg. Krejci fell to the ice before he stumbled to his feet after several seconds. Krejci managed to hobble down the tunnel with assistance and to the Bruins locker room. He wasn’t seen on the bench that night again.
Krejci was not sent back to Boston however to be checked out and remained with the team for the rest of the road trip. He was further reevaluated this afternoon and it wasn’t long until Peter Chiarelli announced some devastating news.
Peter Chiarelli confirmed everyone’s worst fears that Krejci would miss the next 4-6 weeks with a partial left MCL tear.
It’s another big blow to the already struggling Bruins. And it isn’t the first time that Krejci has been injured for an extended period of time this season. He has only played in just 38 of the Bruins games this year. While missing a string of 20 games earlier this season, the Bruins went 8-9-3 in the forward’s absence.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Krejci is one of those players who is known for his crazy good offensive skills and for being versatile. He makes those around him look good, creates plays, and has terrific stick handling skills. In short, he’s a magician on the ice.
This is a big loss for the Bruins, who have only came away with points in four of their last seven games. Without Krejci on Sunday’s matchup against the Blackhawks, the Bruins managed a 6-2 victory. However, one win doesn’t solve a problem like this.
The Bruins are barely hanging on, clinging to a second place wildcard spot at the moment. For a season that has already been filled with a lot of ups and downs, this is the last thing that the Bruins needed to happen.
Now, it’s up for Peter Chiarelli to reevaluate his team and think of what happens from here on out if the Bruins want to remain serious playoff contenders. Ryan Spooner and Brian Ferlin have already been recalled from the Providence Bruins, but more must be done with the approaching trade deadline.
The trade deadline is rushing up on March 2nd this year, and the pressure is high for Boston. General manager, Peter Chiarelli must decide whether it is a priority for the Bruins to be buyers or sellers.
The Bruins do not have the option to sit back and relax as they watch other teams make trades. Something must be done. Cap space for the Bruins is already extremely tight.
In the offseason, some of Boston’s key players will need to be resigned and an option now is to free up some of that cap space by becoming a seller at this years’ deadline.
Not only would it help to get rid of some of the hefty contracts that the Bruins are responsible for at the moment, but they will be able to pull up some of their top prospects from Providence to see what they can do in the NHL. The Black and Gold could also potentially pull in some of the top free agents in the off-season if they have enough cap space. They will be looking to trade as well.
Something the Bruins need right now is a power forward like they had last year in Jarome Iginla. A name that has popped up in the rumor mill recently is Chris Stewart of the Buffalo Sabres. Other names include guys like Antoine Vermette from the Coyotes. The Bruins also have the need for another defender. Time will tell to see what the Bruins are going to do however; they must get rid of cap space. There are few options if they decide not to free up some space.
David Krejci’s injury could make or break the Bruins playoff run if something is not done. Losing him is huge. Now it’s up to Peter Chiarelli to make the right choices and decide what must be done. The team must continue to go forward, there is no more room for backtracking.