Bruins sign Bergeron, Krejci, Zacha to 1-year deals
The Boston Bruins took care of a trio of forwards on Monday, signing Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Pavel Zacha to one-year contracts.
Bergeron re-upped for $2.5 million with another $2.5 million in incentives. Krejci rejoined the club on a pact worth $1 million plus an additional $2 million in incentives. Zacha agreed to a deal with a cap hit of $3.5 million.
Bergeron and Krejci were unrestricted free agents, while Zacha was an RFA who Boston acquired in a July trade with the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Erik Haula.
The Bruins captain - who's arguably the best defensive forward in NHL history - won the Selke Trophy for the fifth time this June, setting an all-time record. The 37-year-old had one of the best seasons of his career in 2021-22, his 18th campaign. He's played all of them with Boston.
Bergeron notched 25 goals - 17 of which came at even strength - and 40 assists over 73 games while winning 61.9% of his faceoffs.
He led the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five among those who played at least 17 total minutes in those situations, according to Natural Stat Trick. Bergeron also topped the league in five-on-five scoring chances for percentage among players who logged more than 39 total minutes in those situations.
Krejci played in Czechia last season after spending his entire NHL career in Boston as well. The veteran center led Olomouc in goals, assists, and points.
The 36-year-old last appeared for the Bruins in 2020-21, tallying 44 points in 51 games. He chipped in nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 11 playoff games that season as well.
Krejci produced 215 tallies and 515 helpers over 962 regular-season NHL contests across 15 campaigns before playing in his homeland in 2021-22. He helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reach the final in both 2013 and 2019.
Zacha failed to meet expectations with the Devils after they drafted him sixth overall in 2015, but he's still only 25 years old. The Czechia-born center registered a career-high 36 points while tying a personal best with 70 games played in 2021-22.
Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.