When David Krejci signed a deal that will make him the Boston Bruins' highest-earning player in two seasons, his linemate took notice.

Milan Lucic is already pondering his future with the Bruins and preparing for unrestricted free agency with two years left on his current deal.

"It’s hard not to.... I’d be lying if I told you I didn't think about (the future) at all," Lucic told CSNNE. “I have two years left on this contract, and when I come out of it I come out as an unrestricted free agent. You see the direction that the team is going.

"(Krejci) is obviously a guy that I want to play with. So my plans as far as my future goes is to stay here, and to stay put in Boston. But a lot of things can happen within the next couple of years. But I hope both sides can keep me here for a long, long time."

Lucic, who's recovering from offseason wrist surgery, will have provided nine seasons of service in Boston before having the opportunity to explore the open market. He signed a three-year, $18-million contract extension as a restricted free agent last summer.