It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We are now into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, some first-round exits are still being talked about. The Boston Bruins were many people’s pick to win the Stanley Cup and break the President’s Trophy curse. However, the Florida Panthers shocked the Bruins and beat them in seven games. Boston now faces plenty of unknowns and will have to answer them in the off-season. Today’s NHL rumours deals with the Patrice Bergeron future with the club.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Patrice Bergeron Future Unknown
Rumour: Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reported on the future of the current Bruins’ captain. Bergeron said that he would talk to his family and the decide on if he’ll return for the 2023-24 campaign.
What does the future hold for Bergeron and Krejci? https://t.co/7qXB4adeRa
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) May 3, 2023
“I’m going to take some time, talk with the family, go from there,” Bergeron said. “Right now, it’s hard to process anything. Obviously we’re shocked and disappointed and so that’s it.”
The 37-year-old missed the first four games of the series before returning in Game 5. However, he did not look like the perennial Selke Trophy winner looked like a shell of himself. A healthy Bergeron usually locks down the other team’s best player, but that wasn’t the case in loss to the Panthers.
What it Means
Bergeron is an unrestricted free agent, but it’s hard to imagine him in another team’s sweater. It’s likely that he’ll only sign with Boston if he does decide to return. He was on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, but could take the same or less if he does stay.
If Bergeron retires, it will be the end of a Hall of Fame career. However, there’s the temptation to come back one more season. There may be the urge to try to get the bad taste of a first round exit out of his mouth. He may want to try to end his career on a better note.
Boston general manager Don Sweeney has some tough to decisions to make with the club. However, Bergeron’s return could be welcome to shore up the team’s centre depth. It would also be a chance to give Bergeron a sort of farewell tour. However, the ball is the Bruins’ captain’s court.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
