Krug: Backes' Leadership Qualities 'Missing' From Bruins Locker Room In Recent Years
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins made a splash to kick off NHL free agency with the signing of former St. Louis Blues captain David Backes, but raised eyebrows with the fact that it's a five-year deal for a 32-year-old player. While Backes may physically decline by the end of his deal, his intangibles and leadership qualities are off the charts - and it's something that the Bruins have lacked in recent seasons.
Bruins defenseman Torey Krug joined Adam Jones and Rich Keefe, filling in for Zolak & Bertrand, to talk about not just Backes' new deal for the Bruins but his own four-year contract extension. Krug alluded to the Bruins' collapses at the end of the past two seasons and that they may have stemmed from a lack of vocal leadership in the locker room, something that Backes is sure to deliver in Boston.
"The guy hates to lose," said Krug. "That's something that maybe we've been missing the last couple years. [Backes] hates to lose more than he likes to win and I think he will bring a lot to our locker room."
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Krug also expanded upon his four-year extension with the Bruins worth $21 million. The 25-year-old embraces the added pressure and responsibility that comes with the pay-raise and expressed supreme confidence in his own ability to not only pay immediate dividends but get even better.
"To whom much is given, much is expected, so no question that means the expectations rise for me," said Krug. "But the reason I was able to come to this deal was because of the player I am today and the player I'm going to be in the future.
"My development isn't even close to being done, and for anyone who questions that I'd love to talk to them in a few years when I become an even better defenseman for this team and for this league."
Krug also touches upon the questions and doubts that have followed him throughout his career and how he plans to continue growing and developing. Listen to the full podcast below:
