Bruins' Krejci retires from NHL after 16 seasons

Boston Bruins center David Krejci is hanging up his skates after 16 seasons in the NHL, the veteran announced Monday.

Krejci spent his entire career in Boston, racking up 231 goals and 786 points in 1,032 contests. He chipped in with 16 tallies and 40 assists in 70 games this past season during his triumphant return to North America after spending the 2021-22 campaign in his home country of Czechia.

A master of consistency, Krejci eclipsed the 50-point mark nine times as a Bruin and surpassed the 60-point plateau on six occasions. He also hit the 20-goal benchmark four times. Krejci's best statistical seasons came in 2008-09 and 2018-19 when he amassed 73 points. The forward also netted a career-high 23 tallies in 2011-12 and 2016-17.

Krejci was instrumental to the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship in 2011, leading the team with 12 goals and 23 points - including 19 at even strength - in 25 contests. Six of those points came in the Stanley Cup Final against the Vancouver Canucks.

Krejci totaled 128 points in 160 career postseason contests - tied with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand for the second most in franchise history. The Bruins selected him in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft.

Krejci's departure further marks the end of an era for the Bruins, who are now entering the 2023-24 campaign without their top two centers. Bergeron announced his decision to retire in late July.

Boston's depth down the middle now consists of Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Morgan Geekie, and Jesper Boqvist.