‘Too early’ for Bruins C Bergeron to decide future

With Boston’s season ending Saturday, the query now could be whether or not additionally it is the top for Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron.

The 37-year-old middle, who will turn into an unrestricted free agent this offseason, declined to interact in contract extension talks through the season. After the Bruins’ 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Bergeron hugged each teammate as he left the ice, a convention of his. However was it for the final time?

“It is too early proper now [to say],” Bergeron stated. “It is too recent. It nonetheless stings clearly from a hard-fought sequence, and we got here up quick. I will have to consider it, however I am not there proper now.”

Bergeron was visibly emotional within the postgame media availability, not solely when reflecting on his future, however on the sequence that had simply concluded. Boston fought its approach again from a 2-0 sequence deficit, and the hassle nonetheless resonated. He notched one help within the Bruins’ Sport 7 loss and completed the sequence with three objectives and 7 factors.

“It is at all times onerous to return up quick, however it’s one thing that we will be happy with, how we battled,” Bergeron stated. “We got here up quick tonight; we wanted a little bit extra. It stings, and it isn’t the sensation that you really want.”

Bergeron can take his time deciding what’s subsequent. If Bergeron does name it a profession, the four-time Selke Trophy winner — awarded to the league’s finest defensive ahead — will retire with 1,216 regular-season appearances, 400 objectives and 982 factors. Within the postseason, Bergeron helped the Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup title and was a part of two different Jap Convention championship groups in 2013 and 2019.

Underscoring the gravity of Bergeron’s impression on the Bruins, teammate and ahead Brad Marchand could not cover his personal feelings when discussing what could be subsequent for him.

“No matter occurs, he is earned the proper to make no matter choice he desires and take the time he wants,” Marchand stated. “I suppose time will inform.”

“I hope [it’s not the end],” coach Bruce Cassidy stated, when requested if he thought Bergeron was executed. “He means a lot to this franchise.”

No matter course Bergeron takes will impression the Bruins’ path ahead as effectively. They’re heading dwelling unhappy, whereas Carolina advances to the second spherical in opposition to the winner of Sunday’s Sport 7 contest between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.