Like everyone in the hockey world, Patrice Bergeron was shocked when he saw the Boston Bruins show the door to head coach Bruce Cassidy. According to the star striker, the players have their share of responsibility.
• Read also: Bruce Cassidy fired by Bruins
Joined Tuesday morning in Boston, where he remains until the end of the classes of his children, the captain seemed moved by the news of the day before.
“Of course it’s a surprise. We couldn’t expect that. In the National League, when you don’t achieve your goals as a team, these are things that can happen, unfortunately. As a player, it’s disappointing because you always have a role to play in this. There is a sense of responsibility, that’s clear,” he commented to the Log.
Cassidy took over from Claude Julien in February 2017. He then captained five full seasons, posting a 245-108-46 record at the helm of the team.
One elimination too many
The pilot had led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals in the spring of 2019, but since then the team has not made it past the second round. This spring, Boston lost in the first round to the Hurricanes in seven games.
“It’s a business of results and when the results are not there, the solution envisaged is often that rather than changing an entire team. It remains that it comes back on the shoulders of the players anyway. We have our big say in the team’s results,” lamented Bergeron.
false rumor
For the star center who has just collected a fifth Selke trophy, it is therefore a fourth coaching change, after Mike Sullivan, Dave Lewis and Claude Julien.
“There is always a shock effect. We establish professional relationships, but after six years like with Bruce, there is also a more personal relationship that develops, ”he said.
In the last hours in Boston, a rumor emerged that Bergeron, who is still thinking about his future, would have agreed to resume service only if Cassidy did not return. A rumor that the attacker quickly assassinated.
“It’s completely unfounded, so I won’t put any energy into it. It’s a waste of time and it’s really stupid speculation,” he said without hesitation.
No influence on his future
The one who will be 37 years old on June 24 continues to evaluate his options for his future, his contract coming to an end. He assures that the next coach who takes over from Cassidy will have no influence on his decision to return or not for a 19th season.
“I always played the same way, no matter the coach. I’ve always had the same desire to want to help the team and give what the coach expects of me, even since minor hockey. It’s a pride to play my role the way my coaches want me to play it.
“It never crossed my mind that Bruce was fired. For me, it remains the same reflection: I am 36 years old and this is the first time in my career that I have finished a contract without having an extension. It just allows me to take a step back to really see what I want. It’s going so fast that you never take the time to take a step back. It makes some ink flow, but it shouldn’t. It has no impact on anyone that I take a few weeks to think things over.”