The longtime centerman returned to the Bruins for the 2022-23 campaign after taking a season away to play in his native Czechia and put forth a strong showing in his familiar spot as the club’s No. 2 pivot. In 70 games, Krejci registered 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) and helped provide a spark to a team that went on to set the NHL record for regular-season victories with 65.
Going into the season, I had no idea what to anticipate; I didn’t know if it would be my final season or if I’d continue,” said Krejci, who played in his 1,000th career game, becoming the seventh Bruin to do so. “It just played out the way it did.” Coming back, truly loving the year, having the year we had [but] being separated from family was difficult. “Everything seemed to fit together, including the injuries and absent relatives. So, I believe I made the right decision to leave the NHL.”
That decision started to take shape towards the end of the season when Krejci’s body began to betray him and forced him to miss three of Boston’s seven games against the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following, the Bruins’ shocking elimination, Krejci knew that it was likely time to step away.
The decision was made, I would say, when my injuries started to happen at the end of the season, but I didn’t want to rush with my decision,” said Krejci, who finishes his career fifth in club history in games played (1,032), fifth in assists (555), ninth in points (986), second in playoff scoring (128 points), and third in postseason games played (160). “I really wanted to take my time and really think things over because you don’t want to make decisions when the emotions go through. So, I really wanted to take my time and wait for the right time, for the right moment.
“I just realized there’s never a right time or right moment to retire from NHL, but I felt like it was time. I knew my body couldn’t take any 82 games anymore, and that was the decision.”
