Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron has finally decided to postpone his retirement date and will be with the Massachusetts team for another season.
The Bruins confirmed the return of the 37-year-old center Monday for the 2022-23 campaign.
The five-time winner of the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most outstanding defensive forward, will pocket a base salary of US$2.5 million. He could get an additional $2.5 million in bonuses.
After the elimination of the Bruins in seven games at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first round of the playoffs, the bosom of the club did not hesitate to be dithyrambic towards the native of L’Ancienne-Lorette.
“He’s so important to this organization. We all want him back,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who has since been replaced by Jim Montgomery.
His trio companion Brad Marchand had abounded in the same direction.
“He is the backbone of the team. He is the biggest piece of this team. So yes, we want him back,” he said.
Bergeron will take part in a 19th season on the Bettman circuit. The Bruins’ number 37 finished last season with 65 points in 73 games, ranking third in team scoring behind Marchand and David Pastrnak.
In 1,216 NHL games, Bergeron had 400 goals and 582 assists. He ranks third in Bruins history in games played and fourth in goals, assists and points. The team selected him in the second round, 45th overall, in the 2003 draft.
He helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Bergeron, however, will start the season without his faithful sidekick, Marchand, at least for the first two months of the campaign due to hip surgery. It’s the same story for the club’s star defender, Charlie McAvoy, operated on his left shoulder.