Ask any Bruins fan what they think of the David Krejci contract extension, and you’ll likely get responses ranging from being overpaid to being paid just right.

Those who say that Krejci is overpaid have a pretty good argument. Compared to the Sidney Crosby’s, Jonathan Toews’ and Steven Stamkos’ of the world – three notable first line centers for their teams – Krejci’s production during his seven-year tenure with the Black and Gold isn’t as significant. His career high in points is 73 during the 2008-09 season.

There’s also the fact that Krejci doesn’t do well against the top lines and defensive pairings of equal or better value. A sample of this was seen in the B’s second round loss to the hated Montreal Canadiens last spring, where the Czech born center was held to two points and a minus-2 rating in seven games.

Those who say that Krejci is being paid just right also have a pretty good argument. Aside from that second round performance against the Habs, Krejci has a knack for delivering in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After all, this is a guy who led the league in scoring during the B’s run to the Cup Final in 2011 (23 points) and 2013 (26).

Whatever opinions The Hub of Hockey has on the new contract, Krejci is still a valuable player for the Black and Gold. And it’s safe to say that he may have made more on the open market if he decided to test it during the off-season.

Instead, Krejci will be a staple on the B’s for the foreseeable future after signing his six-year contract extension with an annual $7.25 million salary cap figure.

“He’s been a real valuable player for us,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told the press during his media session at Ristuccia Arena on Friday. “You’ve seen his performance during the season, you’ve seen his performances during the playoffs. He’s come up through the ranks for us – I consider him one of the pillars of this franchise.

“So to get him locked up, I think [at] a fairly reasonable term and value. I think it speaks a couple of things. One, to him wanting to stay and be part of us continuing to win, and two obviously our commitment to try to keep this successful core together.”

As Chiarelli alluded, Krejci is just one piece of that core, but an important one. Along with Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara and Tuukka Rask, just to name a few, Krejci’s production as a first line center is vital to the team’s success.

Some players have come and gone through the Bruins locker room. Some of those, like Jarome Iginla and Jaromir Jagr, were brought in for the short term. Others, like Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin, were, like Krejci, projected to be part of that core in the long-term, but moved elsewhere due to the tight salary cap after the lockout shortened season.

As players come and go, Chiarelli has a set of good core players, and that was one reason why Krejci wanted to sign the extension.

“I want to win, and I think we have the team to make a run; not just one year, but the next few years,” Krejci said during his media availability at the Bruins locker room at TD Garden on Monday.

“Money wasn’t really the issue. I just wanted to play where I can win, and to feel that Peter [Chiarelli] and the organization feels that I can help out, it means a lot. I didn’t hesitate and I accepted the offer, and I’m glad that I’m going to be a Bruin for the next seven years.”

Krejci’s new contract will go through the 2020-21 season. By then he’ll be 35 and whether or not he’s still a top-line center by that time is a question for another day.

Although Krejci’s mindset is on the present, he has some thoughts on where he’d like to continue his career when that contract runs out in 2020-21.

“In seven years from now, if we [accomplish] what we’re trying to achieve than it will be an easier decision to go back home,” Krejci said about playing in his home country down the road. “If not, then I would have to think twice about my next move.

“But that’s the reason why I signed here. I think we can win [the Cup] here not once, but more times. It’s just up to us, and then we’ll see what happens. Seven years is a long way from now, and I just don’t want to think too much of it.”

Being in the moment is always fitting, and for Krejci the moment is focusing on helping his team get back to the promised land in 2014-15. This contract has its critics, but over time, if the Czech-born center continues to put up solid numbers, it would be well worth it.