Bruins' Krug: 'I'll have to probably prepare for free agency'

Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug doesn't know where he'll play beyond this season but understands he may have to consider finding a new team.

"I don't really know what's going to happen," Krug said, according to The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa. "I'm just trying to take it day by day and worry about the playoffs right now. I'll have to probably prepare for free agency. Then we'll see what happens there. In terms of what's going on with the Bruins and everything else, that's probably a question for someone else."

The 29-year-old would be among the best defensemen available if he does hit unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the season.

Krug, who has spent his entire career with the Bruins, added that his mindset is different now to when he signed his last contract in 2016.

"My priorities have changed quite a bit," Krug said. "To be a husband and to be a father, it's quite a different change in where your priorities lie. You have to think about schools. You have to think about quality of life. Living in certain climates, things like that. They're all something you take into consideration. We'll see.

"I think at the end of the day, competing and being part of a core leadership group have all been important to me, trying to build something and be part of something special. You always want to do that. There's a lot of things that go into it."

Krug's chances of signing a lucrative contract in Boston may have been impacted by the recently ratified CBA, which will keep the salary cap at $81.5 million for the foreseeable future. The Bruins' have just under $18 million in projected cap space for next season with only a few players needing new deals, but key players like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Brandon Carlo will also need new contracts over the next few years.

The dynamic Krug has long been one of the NHL's best offensive defensemen. Since 2013, he ranks seventh in league scoring among blue-liners with 335 points. He amassed nine goals and 49 points in 61 games this season.