Remembering Torey Krug’s Time in Boston
Torey Krug’s tenure with the Boston Bruins came to an end on Friday when the 29-year-old defensemen signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.5 million and runs through the 2026-27 season.
In the 523 games that Krug appeared in over his nine years with the black and gold, he racked up 67 goals and 270 assists to go along with a +23 plus/minus. Among all NHL defensemen since the start of the 2013-14 season, Krug ranks seventh in regular season points with 335 and fourth in playoff points with 46. In addition, among all NHL defensemen since the start of the 2013-14 season who have played in at least 50 playoff games, he is second in playoff points per game with .77 sitting only behind Brent Burns (.79).
Top Moments
The former Michigan Stater had so many memorable moments with the Bruins. It truly feels like only yesterday that a young Krug was torching Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers in the 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals with four goals in five games. The Michigan native finished the series with five points which was good for second on the team.
Just this past year he was still providing late-game heroics for the Bruins. In November, he capped off a two-goal comeback over the Minnesota Wild with this coast-to-coast overtime winner:
And of course, who could forget the famous helmetless hit on Robert Thomas in Game 1 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, they’re losing their quarterback of what was the NHL’s second-most efficient power play during the 2019-20 regular season. Replacing him will certainly be a challenge as the Bruins will likely look to Charlie McAvoy or Matt Grzelcyk - if re-signed - to fill that position.
In the end, as a Bruins fan, it’s difficult to see him leave – especially for the Blues. But at the same time, it’s great to see when a player is paid what they’re worth. Krug earned his contract by being one of the NHL’s best offensive defensemen over the last five-plus years. Good luck in the future, Kruger.