It was right after Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins had their season end, losing in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round, that the 37-year-old center started thinking about his future.
He had a bitter taste in his mouth, a sense that his team could have gone further, could have done more. A sense that this wasn’t how he wanted his career to end.
So as he thought about his future, as he talked to his family, the answer became clear to him: He would return for his 19th NHL season in a Bruins uniform.
“I think the way it ended in Game 7, it was hard for me to really think and say that this could have been my last game,” Bergeron said. “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 and with the question mark up in the air.
“I think the fire, the desire, and the passion was too strong for me to take that path (retirement) right now. Obviously, my family is always going to be my priority. … But with that said, I’m not ready for that next step, part of my life. I think I still have some in the tank and some to give.”
Bergeron wasn’t the only one who wanted back in.
In a day that altered the Bruins’ outlook for the upcoming season, Bergeron and David Krejci signed matching one-year contracts to return to Boston and make another run at the Stanley Cup.
Bergeron’s contract is worth $2.5 million, with the possibility of another $2.5 million in performance-based incentives. Krejci, who played his first 15 NHL seasons in Boston before returning to his native Czech Republic last season, will get $1 million, with the possibility of another $2 million in performance-based incentives.
“Super excited that we could make it work,” Bergeron said of teaming with Krejci again. “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.
“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.”
Video: Patrice Bergeron staying with Boston
Although the signings had been expected for months, the return of Bergeron and Krejci is a major boon for a team that was looking to stave off, and perhaps entirely avoid, a rebuild.
In order to help prevent that, Bergeron said he informed the Bruins of his intentions prior to the start of free agency so they could best plan around him and the contract he would sign.
“That was part of it,” Bergeron said. “We knew there was a cap situation, and we were trying to make it work and we talked with management. … Especially once I knew that ‘Krech’ was coming back, it’s more just trying to make things work and for the [cap] structure, but also for us to be as competitive as we can be.
“I think there are a lot of agents sometimes that are trying to get the most out of every deal, but I think sometimes you need to listen to your players, and I think [agent Philippe Lecavalier] did a great job of that. He knew what I wanted. I wanted to come back with the Bruins and Bruins only, there was no question about that.
“I believe in this team, and I believe in the organization. That’s never going to change.”
Bergeron and Krejci will give the Bruins a solid 1-2 punch at center this season, allowing Charlie Coyle to return to the third line, where he is most effective, and Boston more time to evaluate top center prospect Jack Studnicka, who has yet to break through in the NHL.
Krejci, 36, had 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 51 games with HC Olomouc last season. With the Bruins in 2020-21, he had 44 points (eight goals, 36 assists) in 51 games.
Bergeron had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 73 games last season and won the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward for a league-record fifth time. He said that he expects to be ready for training camp next month after undergoing elbow surgery on May 31.
That’s especially welcome news, given that the Bruins will be down three key players to start the season. Forward Brad Marchand (both hips) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (left shoulder) is each expected to be out until December, and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (right shoulder) is expected to be out until November.
“I’m feeling good, health-wise I’m feeling good,” Bergeron said. “My elbow is, the rehab has gone well throughout. Might need a few more weeks now of rehab, but I’ll be ready for training camp. I’ve been back on the ice for the past few weeks, and I can start shooting this week and can really ramp up the work on the ice as far as using the elbow. I guess you can do everything else, which is fine. You can skate and work on my edges and conditioning and whatnot throughout. It’s been easy that way, so health-wise, there’s no issue.”
With the focus now turned toward the season, Bergeron wasn’t ready to say whether this would be his final one in the NHL. But he does know that he didn’t want to end his career the way he did last season.
“I wanted to come back because I still know that I have something to give,” Bergeron said. “Because I want to come back, 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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