GM Sweeney 'dearly' hopes Krug hasn't played final game with Bruins

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney echoed defenseman Torey Krug's recent comments, saying Friday he hopes the star defenseman doesn't find a new home in free agency this offseason.

"I dearly hope Torey (Krug) hasn't played his last game (with the Bruins) this year or going forward," Sweeney said on a conference call, according to Conor Ryan of the Boston Sports Journal.

Krug made headlines Tuesday after expressing his desire to stick with the Bruins despite his pending unrestricted free agent status, while being candid about the uncertainty of the situation.

"I can't put any assumptions on it, but I can only guess that things are going to look different from a salary-cap perspective next season," Krug said. "Team structures as well are going to be affected by it, but I have no clarity about it. ... It's just the reality of the situation."

Krug added there hasn't been any contract negotiations since the NHL went on hold March 12, but Sweeney said there's previously been productive conversations between the team and Krug's agent.

"We've had very good discussions with Torey's group - we just haven't found a landing spot yet. ... We're hopeful that we'll find a resolution," Sweeney said.

Krug is in the final campaign of a four-year contract that carries a $5.25-million annual cap hit. Since joining the Bruins in 2012, the soon to be 29-year-old has racked up 337 points in 523 games, adding another 46 points in 62 career playoff contests.