Patrice Bergeron Not Ready To Discuss Future Following Game Seven Loss

The future of Patrice Bergeron is one of the biggest storylines not only for the Bruins but the entire National Hockey League.

It wasn’t that the Bruins’ promising season came to a screeching halt in their game seven loss to the Hurricanes, it’s the uncertain future of their 37-year-old captain, Patrice Bergeron.

Bergeron declined to address his expiring contract during the season which led to speculation about whether or not he would retire at the end of the year. His actions on the ice following the conclusion of game seven did nothing to silence that chatter. However, after the game, an emotional Bergeron said it is “too early” to decide one way or the other.

“It’s too early right now,” said Bergeron following the Bruins loss. “It’s too fresh. It still stings obviously from a hard-fought series, and we came up short. I’m going to have to think about it, but I’m not there right now.”

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Drafted in the second round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Bergeron appeared in 71 games his rookie season, never relinquishing his NHL roster spot. Through 18 seasons, Bergeron has played in 1,216 games and notched 400 goals, 582 assists, and is a four-time Selke Award winner for the league’s best defensive forward. He won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and he is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist with Team Canada.

Bergeron took over the captaincy of the Bruins following the departure of Zdeno Chara two seasons ago in a move no one in their right mind would have questioned. Chara and other key free agents were key in bringing the Bruins their first Stanley Cup since 1972 back in 2011, however, Bergeron was drafted by the organization and was an NHL roster player from day one.

Longtime teammate Brad Marchand, the second-longest tenured Bruin behind Bergeron, spoke about his linemate’s future following Boston’s loss on Saturday.

“He’s the backbone of our team, obviously the biggest part of our team,” said an emotional Marchand. “We want him to come back, but whatever happens, he’s earned the right to make whatever decision he wants and takes the time that he needs. I guess time will tell.”

Despite the “rumors” that circulated briefly that Bergeron would be interested in joining another franchise, it is unlikely he would do anything but either re-sign with the Bruins or retire. If he chooses either of those two options he would fulfill the goal he set back in 2013 at the beginning of this expiring contract.

“I started my career as a Bruin, they’re the team that believed in me as an 18-year-old coming in, and now I’m really happy now to say I will hopefully retire a Bruin. That’s a goal. That’s what I want. … I’m really proud to be a Bruin, hopefully for life. I have a lot of pride every time I step on the ice as a Bruin. I couldn’t be happier.”

If this is Bergeron’s final game, it’s safe to say, no one will ever don the number 37 in ‘Black and Gold’ again.