The body of the Bruins was not yet cooled following the elimination against the Panthers that many already saw Patrice Bergeron playing the next campaign in the uniform of the Canadian. We can cross that.
• Read also: Patrice Bergeron takes stock of his future
It was a day of reckoning for the Bruins players two days after their disappointing playoff performance and the team captain didn’t beat around the bush for long.
“Can we say it will be the Bruins or retirement? asked a colleague from Boston.
” Yes. Definitely, “replied the Quebecer without detour or hesitation.
What’s less clear, however, is whether Bergeron was seen playing the last game of his career.
“It’s too early to tell. I want to take a step back. I want to weigh the pros and cons and make sure that, as a family, we make the right decision,” he told members of the media present on site.
A decision before the end of June
Although he wouldn’t set a specific timeline, Bergeron, who turns 38 in July, said he would make his decision before the free agent market opens. So, possibly towards the end of June.
This is the moment he also chose last year to announce to the staff of the team that he would return for another season.
leave everything on ice
Second round pick (45e in total) of the Bruins in 2003, the skater from L’Ancienne-Lorette played 1,294 games in a black and gold uniform. He had 1,040 points, including 427 goals. Three columns of statistics in which his name points to third place in Bruins history.
Defensively, he is no exception. He could, in a few weeks, win the sixth Selke trophy of his career, which would be a record. On Tuesday evening, the NHL announced that he was nominated for this award given to the best defensive forward in the NHL along with Nico Hischier and Mitch Marner. It’s the 12e time in a row that he has been nominated for this trophy.
“If this were to be the end, I would have left everything on the ice. Not bad all I can say. I am grateful, “he said before taking care to add: “But we are not there yet. So we’ll see. »
Moved by Marchand
We may not be officially there yet, but the long emotional hug he reserved for Brad Marchand, his faithful sidekick for the past 14 seasons, was strangely similar to those that two great friends make before parting for A long period.
“It was an emotional moment,” he admitted. As I have often said, we feel lucky to have been able to develop this friendship and to have been able to play together for so long. It’s very special. So, it came to get me once I got to him. »
“And this is one of those years where you know you failed to accomplish what you wanted to. It hurts,” he added to explain the intensity of the moment.
“The best leader in the NHL”
A few hours after their elimination, the Bruins announced that Bergeron had played the last three games of the series despite a herniated disc. Injury that had made him miss the first four games against the Panthers.
“Throughout his career, he played despite injuries that would have kept other players on the sidelines for months,” said Marchand, also surrounded by the media present at the Bruins training complex. It’s part of the reason everyone has so much respect for him and why people love him so much. »
The Bruins plague was full of praise for his longtime teammate and linemate.
“He’s the least selfish guy I’ve met in my life. He sacrificed his body so much. He gave many years of his life trying to build something special here and trying to help others achieve success. It’s the kind of leadership that can’t be taught,” continued the Bruins 63, calling his teammate “the best leader in the NHL. »
When Bergeron said he left everything on the rink, he wasn’t talking through his hat.