David Krejci: Boston Bruins Center Set to Return from Czech Republic

Boston Bruins center David Krejci has ended a successful stint with the Czech Extraliga's HC Pardubice, according to the team's website. Krejci will be joined in his Pardubice exit by Edmonton's Ales Hemsky and Detroit's Jakub Kindl. 

After 24 Extraliga games, Krejci leaves the league ranked No. 15 in points with 27. He tied for No. 2 on his team in points behind Hemsky but led the squad in goals with 16. 

Krejci's offensive output was encouraging after a somewhat disappointing 2011-12 season that saw him demoted from Boston's top line. He was held without a point in just five games, recording multiple points in six contests. 

He is the second Bruin to announce his imminent return to North America this week, with Patrice Bergeron preparing to leave Switzerland after representing Canada in the Spengler Cup alongside Tyler Seguin. 

Krejci and Bergeron are now two of four Bruins to cease playing abroad this season. Goaltender Tuukka Rask and Chris Kelly left Europe at the end of November. 

The rising tide of returning players may imply that CBA negotiations are not as dire as once thought. Back on home turf, Bruins players will likely continue informal practices with the intention of playing NHL hockey sometime in January. 

Eight Boston Bruins remain overseas, including Captain Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg and Seguin. Boston's stars have enjoyed incredible success this fall with Krejci, Seguin and Bergeron averaging more than a point per game, while Rask has dominated in net for the Czech Republic's HC Plzen. 

Hopefully, the rush of returning players is more than a mirage of hockey on the horizon.