Milan Lucic reveals why he turned down Maple Leafs’ offer
The veteran forward signed as a free agent with Boston earlier this summer.
HockeyFeed
Earlier this summer, veteran forward Milan Lucic went out to test the market only to sign right away with one of his former teams, the Boston Bruins. However, it was reported that he had interest from the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs. When it came to the latter, Lucic did speak with GM Brad Treliving, since he was Lucic’s former general manager in Calgary. He then revealed to the hosts of Spittin Chiclets why he declined to sign with Toronto.
“Yeah. I talked to Tre a little bit, obviously because I had Tre in Calgary there. So, he expressed some interest, and I was like, ‘Yeah, it would be tough for me to be a Leafer,’” Lucic said. “Just because of the Boston connection.”
Lucic chose to return to Boston, where he won his lone Stanley Cup title back in 2011, and it did not surprise many fans. When asked about the Blackhawks being in the mix as well, Lucic didn’t want to join a rebuilding roster though it does now include first-overall pick Connor Bedard. Lucic was tempted since many family live in the Chicago area, but a return to Boston was just too good to pass up.
“Not only that, but you get to wear one of the nicest, if not the nicest, jerseys in the league. Cool city. Awesome city. For me, I think I have the most family out of anywhere in Chicago. I would’ve been playing in front of family on a night-to-night basis.”
With Patrice Bergeron retired and out of Boston, Lucic can bring some some much-needed leadership and experience to the room. While the dream of returning to Boston has come true, I’m not sure a second Stanley Cup will come to Lucic with the Bruins this time…
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