Bruins' Krug: Chara 'one of the most influential people in my career'

Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug has enjoyed success at the NHL level since his rookie season in 2013-14, and he gives a lot of credit for that to team captain Zdeno Chara.

"In all honesty, he's been one of the most influential people in my career as a professional hockey player, especially in this town," Krug said of Chara, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "It's funny, people always ask if I can really look at him and learn things from him - him being 6-foot-9 and I'm a whole foot shorter than him at 5-9. It's like, 'how can you learn stuff from him on the ice?'"

"His professionalism, the way he prepares, is something that I've noticed from Day 1 and I try to do things that he does, just to prepare for games and practices."

Krug is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. He said earlier in April that he hoped he hasn't played his last game with the Bruins if the campaign is ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though Krug said there have been no discussions between his camp and the team regarding an extension, the 29-year-old blue-liner doubled down on his intention to stay with the Bruins.

"As I've said all along, I want to be part of this group and part of this locker room and part of this city. It's become home for us and we love it," he said. "You heard Fenway bark earlier - we named our dog Fenway. How much more Boston can it get?"

Krug has amassed 67 goals and 337 points in 523 career games with the Bruins.