Bruins veteran Patrice Bergeron yet to decide on playing future
Patrice Bergeron probably didn't believe he would have to address his playing future so soon. Still, after Sunday's stunning Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers, it was a hot topic of conversation in what was a solemn Boston Bruins' locker room.
Unsurprisingly, Bergeron is not quite ready to make a decision on his future. After the Bruins' heartbreaking loss in overtime Sunday, he told reporters he would discuss things with his family before deciding whether to return for a 19th NHL season in the fall.
The 37-year-old veteran also revealed that he had been playing with a herniated disc, which may or may not factor into his decision.
An upper-body injury forced Bergeron to miss the first four games of the Panthers series, though he did return to the ice for Game 5, when he scored a goal in a 4-3 overtime loss to Florida. He was held pointless in Games 6 and 7.
Despite the team's barely-there playoff run, Bergeron proved he could still be an impactful member of the squad during the team's remarkable record-setting regular season. The veteran recorded 27 goals and 31 assists on the campaign while playing in 78-of-82 games for Boston.
At the end of the 2021-22 season, there was similar speculation regarding Bergeron's future. At the time, Bergeron responded in similar fashion as on Sunday, saying he would make the "best decision" for himself and his family. Ultimately, he signed a one-year deal with the Bruins in June.
If this is it for Bergeron, it would be a bittersweet end to an incredible career.
A second-round pick of the Bruins in the 2003 NHL Draft, Bergeron earned captain status in Boston and helped the organization win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Bergeron also has plenty of individual accomplishments to his name. He is a three-time All-Star and five-time Selke Trophy winner, ranking third in the franchise's history in games played (1,294), goals (427) and points (1,040).
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