BOSTON – Patrice Bergeron has run on passion and intensity for nearly two decades.
That combination of fire and fervor has helped him carve out one of the most successful careers in Bruins history, a storied tenure in Black & Gold that has included a Stanley Cup, five Selke Trophies, and nearly 1,400 games.
And, ultimately, it was driving his decision making earlier this offseason.
As an unrestricted free agent for the first time, Bergeron had a choice to make, one that he indicated was between returning to the only NHL club he has known or hanging up the skates. In the end, after consulting with his family, he felt that there was plenty left in the tank.
“I think the fire, the desire, and the passion was too strong for me to take that path right now,” Bergeron said of retirement. “Obviously my family is always going to be my priority…but with that said, I’m not ready for that next step. I think I still have some in the tank and some to give…
“It was more making sure that I wanted it, that I wanted to work out and felt like I missed the game again. When I had those feelings, I felt like it was time, and I needed to play one more year and come back That’s it really. It was more just letting my body and my brain just mentally know what I wanted, and really listening to that.
“Once I felt like the desire and the passion was there and coming back, and I was getting excited to work out again and to really want to skate – that to me is the indicator that you need to keep playing.”
And so, he will.
On Monday morning, the Bruins announced that they had signed Bergeron to a one-year contract worth $2.5 million and another $2.5 million in performance-based incentives for The Captain’s 19th season in the Spoked-B.
“I’m extremely excited to be back for one more year with the Boston Bruins,” said Bergeron. “Obviously, it’s an organization that means the world to me. I’ve started here…[the team has] been extremely loyal, and I’ve learned a lot over the years, being a part of the organization. I feel like I’ve grown immensely. Boston is my home.”
Bergeron said that he made his decision ahead of the July 13 opening of free agency and that over the last few weeks he and agent Phil Lecavalier worked with Bruins general manager Don Sweeney to reach a deal, knowing that the club had certain limitations given the constraints. of the salary cap, while also trying to bring David Krejci back into the fold.
“Once I wanted to come back, we had those conversations, and we knew that there was a cap situation, and we were trying to make it work and we talked with management. Obviously, for them, there were other things up in the air that they needed to work on. It took some time for the structure to lay out,” said Bergeron, who added that he is focused only on this upcoming season and has not yet made any decisions about whether it will be his last.
“There wasn’t necessarily concern. More just trying to make it work for them and for the cap and finding ways to make everyone fit in. Especially once I knew that Krech was coming back, it’s more just trying to make things work for the structure, but also for us to be as competitive as we can be.
“[Lecavalier] I knew what I wanted. I wanted to come back with the Bruins and the Bruins only. There was no question about that. I wanted to make it work with management, so I took the time, and we took the time together to make it work. And I thought that Sweens and Cam [Neely] were amazing throughout the process, and Phil as well.”
Video: Bergeron to return to Bruins on one-year deal
Bergeron, who was coming off a contract that paid him $6.875 million a season over eight years, also acknowledged that part of the negotiation process was doing what was best to put the most competitive team on the ice in 2022-23.
“To me, hockey is all about team success and, ultimately, winning,” said Bergeron. “And that’s what really makes the difference between a good career and a great career. And it’s the friendships that you build. It’s the memories that last a lifetime. The dollar sign – obviously, I’m not going to say that we’re not well paid. We are extremely [well paid]…beyond what I ever dreamed of, as far as salary goes.
“That being said, I think leaving a few on the table to make sure you’re a competitive team and you’re a good team and that it carries on for years, I think that to me makes a big difference. And I think that’s how we want to play the game. You want to play the game to win. You want to play the game to be successful. You want to play the game to have friendships and memories. And I think that’s the one thing that you hope people buy into.
“And I think this team…even the younger guys, have been really buying in. You hope that this carries on. It didn’t start with me or Krech. It’s really beyond my years and I think it’s great to have in a historical franchise like the Bruins.”
Krejci, meanwhile, also returns to the only club he has known during his NHL career after a brief one-year hiatus to play for Olomouc in his native Czechia. The centerman’s one-year deal (worth $1 million and another $2 million in performance-based incentives) reunites the 1-2 punch that spent 15 seasons together in the middle of the Bruins lineup.
“Super excited that we could make it work,” said Bergeron. “As we all know, I keep Krech in high regard here. I think he’s an amazing person, first and foremost, but also an amazing player that still has it in him. I think he wants it. I think he was in the same situation as far as family decisions to make and what he really wanted for this coming year.
“But we had a few conversations. We’re obviously great friends and we go way back. It was nice for him to take that time and make that decision and I’m super excited to get going with him, but also the rest of the guys.”
Bergeron’s belief in the team around him – despite injuries that will keep Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoyand Matt Grzelcyk sidelined early in the year – was also a determining factor in him returning for another season. The 37-year-old said that his own rehabilitation from offseason elbow surgery is on schedule and he plans to be ready for training camp after getting back on the ice a few weeks ago.
“I’m really confident and I believe in this team,” said Bergeron, who added that he’s already had some great conversations with new head coach Jim Montgomery. “I believe in management and I think we’ve made those decisions this summer. Obviously, I want to play, but I wanted to play with the Boston Bruins because I believe in this team and I believe in the organization. That’s never going to happen.” change.
“You’re right, there’s going to be some adversity at the start of the year, but to me, that’s probably a good thing. Obviously, you’d rather have Marchy and Charlie and Grizz on the ice from the get-go. But that being said, it’s a better and bigger opportunity for other guys to work on their game, but also to show what they have and what they can bring, make them better players and make us a better team ultimately.
“I think when there’s challenges, there’s always positives that can come out of it. That’s how I see it, and I think that adversity can make you an even stronger team down the stretch.”
Video: Bergeron returns to Bruins for 19th season in Boston
Bergeron is also motivated by last season’s bitter end, a Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that had the Black & Gold feeling that they left something on the table.
“I think the way it ended, Game 7, it was hard for me to really think and say that this could have been my last game,” said Bergeron. “I had a hard time believing that. I think it was really hard for me to digest that part of it. Ending it that way…it’s definitely motivation. That being said, I think that series – that was a team that during the year gave us a hard time.
“We gave them a run for their money in the playoffs and to me that was definitely a positive. You always want to look at the glass half full. At the same time, it was disappointing… I thought we had a better team than a first-round exit.”
As such, Bergeron is determined on his 19th Season ending on a far higher note.
“That’s the only motivation you need: to leave this jersey in a better place,” Bergeron said of donning the Spoked-B. “I wanted to come back because I still know that I have something to give…and with the Bruins because it’s my team. I love the city. I love the team. I love the guys. And I want to do something special with them.” ”
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