Former Bruins winger Milan Lucic: Boston ‘will always be a special place’

Milan Lucic’s first eight NHL seasons with the Bruins helped make the city of Boston one that will always mean something to him.

He won a Stanley Cup in 2011 with the B’s and solidified himself as a physical winger who wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves. Lucic racked up 772 penalty minutes in 566 games played for Boston, and was always a presence at the height of the Bruins-Montreal Canadiens rivalry.

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The 35-year-old reportedly was given permission by the Calgary Flames to speak other teams as he prepares to hit the free agent market for the first time in seven years. With Lucic in search of a new team, it opens up questions of whether he’d entertain a potential reunion with his first NHL club.

Lucic, speaking to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, isn’t getting too far ahead of himself about a return to Boston and is just in wait and see mode.

“Obviously it’s a special place for me and it will always be a special place for me,” Lucic told LeBrun. “But we’ve got what, 10, 11 days to see what happens (before July 1)? We’ll see what happens and then go from there.”

He told LeBrun he still feels he has gas in the tank — especially after winning a Gold medal with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship this year.

But the Bruins are up against the salary cup this summer and are awaiting decisions from Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci regarding their futures. Even though Lucic likely wouldn’t break the bank in terms of a contract, there’s a lotthe Bruins need to sort out before deciding who to sign.

Lucic told LeBrun his main focus is finding a team that’s a good fit and knowing what his role will be. It’s not about signing a lucrative contract, especially at age 35, but rather just enjoying going to the rink and “having the chance to win again.”