The Boston Bruins finally have found a No. 2 center, and it's a familiar face.
David Krejci is coming back to the Bruins, the team announced Monday. He has signed a one-year contract worth $1 million plus another $2 million performance-based incentives.
The 36-year-old forward left the Bruins after the 2020-21 season to return to his native Czech Republic and play in front of family and friends. Despite his exit, the Bruins never publicly ruled out a potential return for Krejci. The veteran center was drafted by the Bruins in 2004 and has played 15 seasons in Boston.
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The Bruins will go into next season with Patrice Bergeron and Krejci centering the top two lines -- a combo that helped the team achieve phenomenal success for about a decade, including three trips to the Stanley Cup Final (and a championship in 2011).
The B's also announced Bergeron's new contract Monday morning. It's a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with incentives.
The most logical lineup fit for Krejci is the second line, where he could play alongside two excellent wingers in Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak.
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