David Krejci voices frustration with Bruce Cassidy

This offseason, the Boston Bruins received a tough blow when it was announced that David Krejci would be heading home to play in the Czech Republic for the 2021-22 season.

At the time, it was believed it was simply just to be closer to home, but that may not entirely be the case. Speaking with Czech reporter Miroslav Horak, Krejci voiced his frustration on how David Pastrnak is being used by head coach Bruce Cassidy this season compared to when he was a member of the team.

"Coach Cassidy rarely let the two of us play together," Krejci said. "It must have been something to split the first line and give Pasta to me. It was a maximum of two matches."

"After years, I leave Boston and suddenly that's possible. That surprised me. [Cassidy] always told me that he had no reason to take Pasta off the first line and that it would be as short as possible to dismantle the forces. I had to take it. But now Pasta has five or so many matches on the line with Taylor Hall and Erik Haula. Strange."


Despite Krejci's clear frustrations, he was still quite productive last season with 44 points in 51 games. Since making these comments, Pastrnak himself spoke up with his thoughts on the entire situation.

"I didn't really see the article, so I don't know if the translation is correct," Pastrnak said. "Obviously it was well known we were very close friends, and we always had chemistry together. We liked to play together. Everybody knew that. It's just, I guess we were doing so good with Bergy and March, it was hard to split us up. I just think it was well known I wanted to play with Krech, he wanted to play with me, but at the same time we are the players and we're playing with the players who we are with."

To end Krejci's interview, he was asked about the possibility of returning to the Bruins. The 35-year-old didn't rule it out, which could mean that he may end up back for a playoff run this season, or perhaps for the 2022-23 season. While these comments could make things somewhat awkward, it is hard to see management turning him down if he does indeed wish to return in the future.