Sweeney gives update on David Krejci's future with Bruins

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The Boston Bruins and free agent Taylor Hall have made "significant progress" toward a new contract, according to general manager Don Sweeney. David Krejci's situation is much more unclear, however.

Krejci just finished his 15th season with the Bruins and is among the team's unrestricted free agents. 

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Sweeney provided an update on the veteran center's future Thursday morning.

"I have been in touch with David, and I'm going to respect all his privacy and decisions. At this point in time he has not given a firm indication," Sweeney said on a Zoom call with reporters.

"As he referenced before, he's got some things that he wants to address and then he'll let us know. But I have been in regular communication with David. There's no timeline to make decisions."

Losing such a talented and consistent No. 2 center would be a tough blow for the Bruins' lineup.

"We certainly have to acknowledge it would be a big hole if we had to fill it," Sweeney said. "But it would be a real good opportunity for someone if we do go in that direction. We're going to have to find ways to spread things around if David makes a decision otherwise, but that hasn't been the indication. We're hopeful that he would come back, and we'll see."

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If Krejci did leave, Charlie Coyle would be the most logical in-house replacement for the No. 2 center spot. Coyle struggled offensively last season but was not at 100 percent health. Coyle had surgery in June and is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall.

Top prospect Jack Studnicka could one day fill a top-six center role, but he is not ready for that kind of responsibility at this stage in his career.

Re-signing Krejci needs to be among the top priorities for the Bruins over the next few weeks, along with getting Hall's deal done and finding another top-four defenseman.

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