Torey Krug is not one to ignore the elephant in the room.
Torey Krug is not one to ignore the elephant in the room.
The Bruins’ dynamic defenseman has not been shy about saying how much he’s loved his time in Boston and that he wishes it could continue. But without a contract for next year and the salary cap remaining flat for next season and possibly beyond, the pending unrestricted free agent – who’ll be one of the top targets in the league when the market opens – knows that the upcoming Stanley Cup tournament could very well be his last chance to become one of the many Boston athletes to win a championship over the past two decades.
With that uncertain future, Krug is ready to dive into this Cup run with his teammates and enjoy it as much as he can.
“One of the biggest things we talk about in this locker room is being aware of the situation in front of you and then accepting that situation. For me, it’s no secret that this could potentially be the last run I have of winning a Cup with this group and, not only that, I get to do it while stuck in a bubble with those guys and get to enjoy their company for 24/7, for as long as we’re there,” said Krug.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it. Obviously we have to remain focused. We have a job to do. But that’s part of the process that we all enjoy in here. It’s always fun to go to battle with these guys. I’m not approaching the games any differently. I’m still willing to sacrifice and do anything for this group as they are for anyone else in this locker room. That’s the fun part of it, you go to battle and then we get to return to a hotel room and reminisce on the game and create better memories… I’m excited about the opportunity and I know those guys are as well.”
Krug is also generally pleased with how the short training camp has gone. When discussing various return to play scenarios earlier in the spring, Krug had expressed some concern about getting enough time to get back into shape and playing form. But he’s been pleasantly surprised with how much was accomplished in the two-week span. He said his own injury history – and quick returns – helped to ease his mind.
