Center Patrice Bergeron signs 8-year, $52 million extension with Bruins

BOSTON - The Boston Bruins have signed centre Patrice Bergeron to an eight-year contract extension worth US$52 million.

Bergeron does just about everything for the Bruins as a perennial Selke Trophy candidate who plays in all situations. He gained even more notoriety for playing with a broken rib, torn cartilage, a punctured lung and separated shoulder in the Stanley Cup final.

Bergeron had a team-high nine goals in the playoffs, where he raised his game from the regular season. He was also the top faceoff man in the playoffs.

The 27-year-old will count $6.5 million against the cap through the 2021-22 season. He'll make $4.55 million and count $5 million against Boston's salary cap next season in the final year of his old deal.

Bergeron had 10 goals and 22 assists in the 2013 regular season. In 579 career NHL games, he has 153 goals and 280 assists.