Money not central to center

The Bruins locked up their version of Jason Spezza (Krejci is more competitive and well-rounded) for less than half the Ottawa playmaker’s $7 million annual payday.

Even if Larry Kelly, Krejci’s agent, believed he could have done better, his client made it known that $3.75 million per season will do quite well, thank you very much.

“Larry thinks I could get a little more,’’ said Krejci, who was rehabbing at Ristuccia Arena yesterday following hip surgery June 4. “But this is good money for me. I never even dreamed about this much money. I think it was a good deal for me, even if I could get a little more. I’m very happy with the money I got.’’

Krejci broke through in 2008-09 with a 73-point showing while battling an impingement on his right hip the entire season. The 23-year-old projects to be one of the league’s brightest centers as he enters the prime of his career.

So, while Krejci could have been justified in pushing for bigger bucks, he came to several conclusions. He’s happy being a Bruin. He likes Boston. He realizes there’s a good group around him. He understands that he can score big with his next contract.

So, while Phil Kessel waits in restricted free agent limbo, Krejci is content with being under contract and having stability for the next three years.

“I didn’t want to take a chance, maybe like Phil is thinking now,’’ Krejci said. “He’s maybe going for a little more. There might be a chance he’ll get traded. I want to stay here. Hopefully, if they won’t sign Phil, they’re going to bring in another guy who’s going to be good and we’ll have a chance. I love what we did in the playoffs. I love playoff hockey. It [stunk] when we got eliminated. I want to have an even better team than we did last year and go farther than we did last year.’’

Krejci said he went through a good lower-body workout yesterday. While he still feels occasional pain in his hip as he continues to heal, Krejci has been riding the bike and elliptical trainer for cardiovascular work. Krejci can do some squats and leg lifts and already feels his lateral movement is better than it ever was last season.

Krejci will remain in town this week and next for work with strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides and physical therapist Scott Waugh. Krejci will visit home in the Czech Republic at the end of July and return to Boston in August.

“I don’t think I’ll be ready to practice with the guys and be ready for the tests,’’ Krejci said. “But I think I might start skating somewhere in September. I don’t know if in the beginning, middle, or end. But I’d love to go on the ice in September.’’

“I think I’ve come a long way,’’ said Cross. “I’m just pumped to be where I’m at. I’m happy with the way rehab is coming.’’

It was the third procedure Cross has undergone on the knee, a troublesome total for a player who won’t turn 20 until Sept. 12. But Cross, who completed his freshman season at Boston College in 2008-09, said he’s been taking every measure to ensure that this latest surgery will be his last.

“There’s different steps,’’ Cross said of his recovery. “I know what they are. I know I’ve got a ways to go, but I’ve also come a long, long way in a short period of time.’’

In the 2007 draft, the Bruins traded their second- and third-round picks to Chicago for the right to select Cross with the 35th overall pick. Last season, the 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound defenseman appeared in 24 games for BC, recording zero goals and eight assists before shutting things down to undergo surgery. In 2009-10, because of the departures of blue liners Tim Kunes, Tim Filangieri, Anthony Aiello, and Nick Petrecki, the two-way defenseman will take on a bigger role, assuming good health.

“Obviously, he’s had some setbacks,’’ said Don Sweeney, Bruins director of hockey operations and player development. “He’s a young guy and he’s going to rebound from this stuff. The work that he’s doing over at Boston College, in conjunction with our outlining things, I think he’s made some great strides. He’s headed absolutely in the right direction, and we feel very comfortable about where he’s going to be over the course of this season as to how much he’ll improve.

“He was behind the eight ball going into last year coming off the [second] surgery, and never really got his feet completely under himself battling it. Once you get behind, you don’t really get back in front until you have an extended period of time to do it properly. I think he’s going through that right now. He’ll come out on the other side much better prepared for the season.’’

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com.