Update on Boston Bruins Stars Playing in Europe

As the odds of a complete 82-game season worsen with every passing day, a handful of Bruins players are becoming more and more at home in Europe. 

At this time, nine Bruins players have signed contracts overseas for the duration of the lockout. Bruins are currently taking the ice in five different leagues including the Russian KHL, the Czech Extraliga, the Swiss National League A, Germany's DEL, and Finland's SM-Liiga.

In a bittersweet moment for Bruins fans, Boston linemates Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin squared off against each other on October 20th in Switzerland. Sparked by Bergeron's opening goal, HC Lugano went on to defeat Seguin's EHC Biel 6-3, although Seguin added a goal and two assists of his own. Despite the novelty, the Bruins surely hope to see all of their players back in the same locker room soon.

In the meantime, let's take a look at how some of the Bruins' biggest stars are faring with their new clubs. 

Tuukka Rask

Team: HC Plzen

League: Czech Extraliga, Czech Republic

Tuukka Rask is currently preparing for his newly inherited role as Boston's starting netminder by playing for HC Plzen in the Czech Republic. 

The young Finnish goalie looked unprepared in his first two starts of the season, surrendering eight goals. Since then, Rask has been spectacular. In his last five games, he has only been scored on six times. 

So far, Rask has posted sparkling numbers, giving up just 1.94 goals per game while saving 93.24 percent of shots. He is 6-1 on the year, with the only loss coming in overtime. His stellar play in net has led HC Plzen to first place in the league standings. 

Rask is showing off his elite ability on a nightly basis in the Czech Republic, and the Bruins cannot wait for his return to the TD Garden crease, especially if he maintains his current form. 

Tyler Seguin

Team: EHC Biel

League: National League A, Switzerland

Tyler Seguin has looked sharp in nine games in Switzerland. The Bruins' leading scorer a year ago, Seguin has averaged more than a point per game with EHC Biel. 

Seguin has formed a deadly partnership with former University of New Hampshire forward Jacob Micflikier. So far, Seguin has amassed three goals and seven assists in nine games. 

His playmaking skills have been on display and offer some hope that Seguin could raise his assist numbers with the Bruins moving forward. Current indications offer no reason to believe the Bruins' highest draft pick since Joe Thornton cannot become a point-per-game player in the NHL. 

Despite the addition of NHL players Seguin and Anaheim defenseman Luca Sbisa, EHC Biel is hovering in the middle of the league standings. Without much notable talent around him, one can only be impressed by Seguin's early season play. 

Zdeno Chara

Team: HC Lev Praha (Prague Lions)

League: KHL, Czech Republic

Zdeno Chara has lent his gigantic frame to the KHL's only Czech team, HC Lev Praha. In Prague, Chara has continued to see a healthy diet of elite NHL talent like Alex Ovechkin, who led Dynamo Moscow to a 1-0 win over Chara's squad in a game broadcast on ESPN3. 

Chara joins an impressive group of NHL stars seeking ice in the KHL, including Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk, and the aforementioned Ovechkin. 

Despite the presence of the Bruins' captain, Praha has struggled this season. Though Chara has added three points in six games, the Lions are 0-6 since his arrival. The Bruins hope the 35-year-old former Norris Trophy winner stays healthy while conditioning himself for the NHL campaign in Prague. 

David Krejci

Team: HC Pardubice

League: Czech Extraliga, Czech Republic

David Krejci has returned to his home country to compete for HC Pardubice. 

Krejci has been a constant offensive threat for the club. After coming away empty handed in his debut, Krejci has established a six-game point streak. 

In seven games, Krejci has four goals and three assists. After totaling a relatively disappointing 62 points a year ago, Krejci has been constantly involved in trade rumors. His early season offensive output in the Czech Republic could help him solidify his place in Claude Julien's lineup. 

Krejci has led the team to five wins in his seven appearances, which currently has raised them into seventh place out of fourteen clubs. HC Pardubice hopes that Krejci's production will help them to defend their 2011-12 Extraliga Championship. 

The key for Krejci will be consistency. Since leading the NHL in playoff points en route to the Stanley Cup in 2011, Krejci's talent has been unquestioned. His value would benefit from seeing that talent more often. 

Patrice Bergeron

Team: HC Lugano

League: National League A, Switzerland

Patrice Bergeron seems to feel right at home in Switzerland. He has been a dominant force for HC Lugano in his first five games played. 

Joining forces with former Bruin Glen Metropolit, Bergeron has averaged more than two points per game. In just five games, Bergeron has scored six times and dished out five helpers. 

After winning the 2012 Frank J. Selke Trophy, as the NHL's best defensive forward, Bergeron has suddenly become an offensive dynamo in Switzerland. 

Having scored 22 goals in each of the past two years, Bergeron seems to have found a new goal-scoring touch. If Bergeron returns to Boston with an improved ability to find the net, the Bruins' top line—also including Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand—will be due for big things. 

Bergeron has led HC Lugano to fourth place in the Swiss league. Having played in just five of the club's fifteen games he is already third on the team in points and has a plus-13 rating.