Bergeron signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Bruins on Monday to return for his 19th season in the NHL. The 37-year-old center can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance-based incentives. He was an unrestricted free agent and was undecided on his future after Boston was eliminated in seven games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round.
“The kids obviously love Boston, it’s their home as well, so that was a nonissue there,” Bergeron said. “After that, it was more making sure that I missed the game again. And when I had those feelings, I felt like it was time and I needed to play one more year and come back. It was more just letting my body and my brain and mentally just know what I wanted, and really listening to that. Once I felt like the desire and the passion was there … to me is the indicator that you need to keep playing.”
Bergeron was voted the Selke Trophy winner as the best defensive forward in the NHL for a record fifth time last season. He passed Bob Gainey, who won it four times with the Montreal Canadiens from 1977-81.
Krejci signed a one-year, $1 million contract. The 36-year-old can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. Krejci played last season in his native Czech Republic after playing for the Bruins for 15 seasons (2006-21).
“Super excited that we could make it work,” Bergeron said of Krejci’s return. “He’s an amazing person, first and foremost, but also an amazing player. I think he was in the same situation as me as far as decisions that we make. We had a few conversations. Obviously we’re great friends and we go way back, so it was nice for him to take that time and make that decision.”
Bergeron has been rehabbing from surgery in June to repair a tendon in his left elbow. He was expected to need 10-12 weeks to recover, which would have him ready by the end of August.
The Bruins begin the season Oct. 12 at the Washington Capitals.
“I wanted to come back with the Bruins and the Bruins only,” Bergeron said. “There was no question about that.”
Bergeron had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 73 regular-season games last season, and seven points (three goals, four assists) in seven playoff games. Selected by Boston in the second round (No. 45) of the 2003 NHL Draft, he is third in Bruins history in games played (1,216) and fourth in goals (400), assists (582), and points (982).
He has played 167 Stanley Cup Playoff games, second in Bruins history behind Ray Bourque (180). He has 127 points (49 goals, 78 assists), won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019.
He signed an eight-year, $55 million contract ($6.875 million average annual value) on July 12, 2013, and was named Bruins captain Jan. 7, 2021. He took over for Zdeno Chara After the defenseman signed with the Capitals as a free agent.
Jim Montgomery said the first call he made to a player after he was hired as Boston coach on July 1 was to Bergeron.
“It was really good,” Montgomery said. “It was enlightening. I felt like I was talking to a coach, not a player. Just how he thinks about the team first, thinks about ways to get better. So very impressive. It was a very open and honest conversation about how he’s excited about what the Bruins family can do and how I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Last season, Krejci had 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 51 regular-season games and five points (three goals, two assists) in five playoff games for Olomouc in the Czech Extraliga, the highest professional league in the country.
He had 44 points (eight goals, 36 assists) in 51 regular-season games for the Bruins in 2020-21 and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 11 playoff games. He was an alternate captain for eight seasons.
Selected by Boston in the second round (No. 63) of the 2004 NHL Draft, Krejci is ninth in Bruins history with 730 points (215 goals, 515 assists) in 962 regular-season games. He is also in their top 10 in games played (seventh) and assists (seventh). His 124 points (42 goals, 82 assists) in the postseason are third in Boston history behind Bergeron and Bourque. He’s second to Bourque (125) in playoff assists, third in playoff games (156) and sixth in playoff goals.
The Bruins also signed a forward Pavel Zacha to a One-year, $3.5 million contract Monday. Zacha was a restricted free agent and had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday.
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