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David Krejci said after the season that it would be either retirement or another year with the Bruins. He did not anticipate playing in his home country of Czechia again like he did in 2021-22.
According to a new report, it seems his thinking has changed a little over the last two months. According to Zdenek Janda, A Czech hockey reporter, Krejci is considering, among other options, a midseason return in Czechia with an eye towards next spring's IIHF World Championship in Prague. That tournament generally means more in Europe than it does in North America.
Here is the full Google translation of that tweet, with the usual caveat that Google Translate is not always 100% perfect:
David Krejčí is still undecided about the future. He is attracted by the WC in Prague, so because of that he did not rule out that he is also considering an extra league... But according to his own words, he will not start the season right away, but maybe sometime around Christmas... There is also the option that it ends completely.
Another Czech write-up from Dominik Dubovci sheds more light on the situation, with some quotes from Krejci.
"It's all mixed up in my head. The main attraction is definitely the world championship in Prague. On the other hand, other things prevail, injuries and health. This is how I have it on the scales, up and down," Krejci said, as translated by Google.
As it relates to the Bruins, this certainly feeds into the idea that Krejci truly has not made a final decision yet, which means they are absolutely right to plan like he's not coming back, as team president Cam Neely put it earlier this week.
If Krejci is considering a midseason return in Czechia, then perhaps it's possible that he would consider a midseason return to the Bruins, too. General manager Don Sweeney said the door would remain open and that he would find a way to fit Krejci and/or Patrice Bergeron in if either ultimately decides to return.
However, if the World Championship is Krejci's priority, then the Bruins making the playoffs would block him from playing in that tournament. Based on these comments and reports, it's clear that the Bruins cannot bank on Krejci returning, whether before the season or in the middle of it.
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