(Boston) Patrice Bergeron led the Boston Bruins in the series-ending handshake, wishing the Carolina Hurricanes the best of luck in the Eastern Semifinals.
Posted at 6:48 p.m.
He then waited for each and every one of his teammates to give them a hug as they left the ice – perhaps saying goodbye for one last time.
The Bruins captain, who turns 37 this summer, will be a free agent for next season and declined to say if he would return for a 19and season – either in Boston or elsewhere.
“That’s why this one hurts even more, it’s that we’re in the unknown with him for next season,” said Brad Marchand after the 3-2 defeat in the final match against the Hurricanes on Saturday, which ended the Bruins’ season.
“He’s done so much for this group, so many sacrifices,” added Marchand, the Bruins’ second-most senior player. It would have been nice to have a long run in the playoffs for him. It’s disappointing. »
Four-time winner of the Selke Trophy as best defensive forward, Bergeron is third in the number of games played with the Buins (1,216) and fourth in goals (400), assists (582) and points (982).
He is second in club history in playoff goals (47) and points (123). He notably helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reach the final on two other occasions.
If he retires, he can expect to see his No. 37 retired by the Bruins and get a call from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
After saying all season that he didn’t want to think about the future until the end of the season, Bergeron said after the game that “it’s too early” to make a decision.
“It’s too cool right now,” he explained in Raleigh, North Carolina. I’m still bitter about this hard-fought series. Of course, I’ll have to think about it. I haven’t gotten there yet. »
If the decision was up to the Bruins, it wouldn’t be a very difficult decision.
“He’s so important to this organization. We all want him back,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. But I have no idea. I didn’t discuss this with him. »
The Bruins have gone through a lot of change over the past few years. The core of their three Stanley Cup Finals all but disintegrated.
Longtime captain Zdeno Chara left the club in 2020 as a free agent, David Krecji decided to return to play at home in Czechia last summer and goalkeeper Tuukka Rask ended his attempt to return to the game at halfway through the season.
If the team wants to look ahead, they have a 25-year-old sharpshooter in David Pastrnak, one of the NHL’s best defensemen in Charlie McAvoy and a 22-year-old promising goaltender in Jeremy Swayman.
Hampus Lindholm, 28, was acquired mid-season to solidify the defense and Marchand is still one of the most dangerous forwards on the Bettman circuit at 33.
Naturally, I made a plea for him to come back. He is the backbone of the team. He is the biggest piece of this team. So yeah, we want him back. No matter what happens, he has earned the right to make whatever decision he wants and take whatever time he wants.
Brad Merchant
Bergeron made it clear that his hugs in Carolina did not necessarily mean goodbye.
“It’s hard when it ends like this. I wanted to thank them for fighting every day, noted Bergeron. It’s painful. It’s not the resentment you want. That said, we lived it together. »