Bergeron: 'I Need Time to Make Decision on My Future'

BOSTON - Right now, Patrice Bergeron needs a bit of time.
The Bruins captain will be an unrestricted free agent this summer as he wraps up an eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.875 million that was signed in July 2013. But just two days removed from a painful Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bergeron has yet to make any decisions on his future.

"I don't know, to be honest with you," Bergeron said when asked when he'll make a call on his next move during the B's end-of-season media availability on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena. "I think it's just more time, I guess. Right now, it's only been a couple of days. All I did was really enjoy the family at home. I'm going to just need some time to think about a lot of things and come up with the best decision for myself and my family."
Bergeron, who was drafted by the Bruins in 2003 and has played all 18 of his NHL seasons in the Spoked-B, did say he cannot envision himself playing for any team other than the Black & Gold. He added that, while he had yet to speak with general manager Don Sweeney, it is his understanding that if he would like to return, the Bruins would welcome him back and no deadline has been put in place for him to render a decision.
"No," Bergeron said swiftly when asked if he could see himself playing elsewhere. "I've been here for my whole career; obviously, it's a special place for me. It's not on my mind. Like I said, right now I just need to take time and regroup."
The 36-year-old played 73 games in 2021-22, his highest total since he played 79 games in 2016-17. Bergeron, who notched 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) and seven more in seven playoff games, said he emerged from the season with no lingering health issues.
"Good, I feel good. Body feels good," said Bergeron. "This year I had the [broken] nose, and the elbow [infection] and all that. But that's just the usual of the gaunt of the season, but nothing to report really."
Ultimately, Bergeron said, his decision will come down to what he - along with his family - feels is best for his future, not what the Bruins roster will look like for the 2022-23 campaign.
"Obviously, it's a family decision," said Bergeron. "I think it's a decision, and time that I need, to make, and I want to make the right one. As far as the team, I have always believed in what this organization has done. It's always made sure they would put the best team forward and on the ice, and I believe they're going to do that in the future as well.
"I think we have some great players in this locker room, most of which are coming back. For me, it's not necessarily something that I'm concerned about, it's just taking the time to make the right decision for me and my family."

Bergeron said that there was not any discussion with his teammates throughout the season about his situation, noting that "everyone respected" that he wanted to keep the focus on the team and their hopes of making a run at a Stanley Cup. Longtime linemate and friend Brad Marchand said that while he certainly wants Bergeron to return, he will not try to interfere with his decision making.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bergy and I'm not going to hound him, not going to talk to him about it," said Marchand. "He has earned every right to make the decision he wants to make. I don't really want to comment on it other than, let him take his time and do his thing and make whatever decision is best for him and his family."
Given the uncertainty of Bergeron's future, Marchand said the B's first-round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes hurt that much more.
"It was disappointing," said Marchand. "We felt like we had a really good opportunity this year. We knew we had to get through a really, really good team to go far. Our mindset was if we got through that team, we were going to the Finals. Kind of feel like they're the top team coming out of the East. It was disappointing.
"And then with the uncertainty of Bergy…make it an easy decision on him this summer and go out on top. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Would have been nice to be able to make that decision easy for him. So yeah, just all the way around, really disappointing."
Marchand, who has been Bergeron's teammate since he broke into the league 13 years ago and his linemate, almost exclusively, for the last 11 seasons, spoke for several minutes about the impact Bergeron has had on him both as a player and a person.
"That kind of started as a business relationship. He had to put up with me for the first couple years," Marchand quipped. "I got to watch one of the best in our game do his thing on and off the ice and how he takes care of himself and trains and prepares. How much he cares. Then we became really good friends. I owe so much of what I've been able to accomplish to him - not just because of playing on the same line as him, just because of how great of a leader he is, how great of a person he is. And to be able to learn, day in and day out, from a guy like that - I don't think I really understood how much it meant and how good it is for players to have a guy like that.
"And not just him and [Zdeno Chara], but a lot of guys that have come through. It can make a huge impact on your career. And I think that's why you see why [David Pastrnak] has grown into the player he has. And Charlie [McAvoy] is making steps like that is because of guys like him. Again, I had a front row seat for 13 years or whatever it's been. And when you have a guy like that, and you're with him that long - and again, we became very good friends off the ice as well - those habits that he has, they just wear off on you and bleed into your daily routine.
"The biggest part is you don't want to let a guy like that down. You want him to want to be your linemate, to want to be your friend…you want to be accountable. You don't want to disappoint him in any way. That's kind of where it all started, and it grew from there. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done and how he's allowed my game to grow just by how great he's been to me. Incredible, incredible leader and teammate and captain. And friend. So yeah, he's a special person."
If Bergeron does decide to retire, Marchand said it will be nearly impossible to fill the void that absence would create, much like when longtime captain Zdeno Chara departed two years ago.
"We had two captains there for a while with Bergy and Zee," said Marchand. "Bergy was able to step in and take over flawlessly…losing Bergy, whenever the time does come, that's a hole we will never fill - on or off the ice. But hopefully the guys have seen enough from him and learned enough where that culture and his experience will continue to flourish in the organization.
"When you go to other teams and talk to other players, they hear about the leadership within the group and within the team. They take a tremendous amount of pride in that. And hopefully, again, that is something that doesn't get lost with the generations that are now coming in.
"The more responsibility I've taken in that role, the more I realize how special of a leader he is…the things he sees day to day and the things that he brings up to me - just about the mood around the locker room or the team or guys, he's just so observant all the time and always on. And it's not easy to do that.
"But he just cares so much. You look around the league, I don't think there's another leader that has the qualities that he does or that can lead the way he does on and off the ice."

Here's some thoughts from Bergeron's other teammates:
Connor Clifton:"Obviously, he is like family. You watched the playoffs…he is still one of the best elite players in the league. That's his decision, but we'd miss him if we didn't have him. If he came back, we'd absolutely love that."
Trent Frederic:"I respect whatever he does, but obviously we want him to come back. Hopefully he does. But either way, he's the best. I love the guy."
Taylor Hall:"He's the best leader I've ever seen. Really amazing to share a locker room with that guy. And whether he comes back or not, he's made an impact on me and how I go about my day and how I want to lead and be thought of as a teammate. I'm sure he'll take time and decide what he wants to decide, but it is what it is. He's a great guy and if that's it, then I'm lucky to call him a teammate."
Erik Haula:"I'm very fortunate to be with a guy like that. I learned a lot from him as a player, as a pro. Great example, great leader. It's well-known all over the league, right? It's just his character is hard to top, hard to explain, but all you can do is try to learn from a guy like that."
Charlie McAvoy:"I think his legacy is just incredible, but more so what's he done inside this room and really the stuff that no one sees on the outside. What we're able to see, and what I'm so grateful to have seen, the lessons he's given to me and everyone in here. The culture that he's created, it's just so special and I think it's the responsibility of all of us and the guys that have been here, if he doesn't come back, it's now on us to continue what he's created and make sure that that bond and culture get stronger.
"He's able to read people and it certainly is a skill. But he's just so good at knowing what to say. He's really able to find a relationship with every person in here, and I think that's just something that made him so special to play with. He knows what each guy needs and how to get through to people. He's just a very special person."
David Pastrnak: "I've been learning from one of the best for a lot of years. Obviously, what Bergy does for us is insane. It's very hard to describe. Everybody wants to be like him. I'm very humble that I can learn from the best."
Craig Smith: "He's a great leader. He does the right things, says the right things, makes sure everyone has a voice in the locker room, which I think is just huge. That separates him from a lot of people in the rooms. I've really just been grateful to be around a guy like that, how nice he is. I feel like I've known him my whole career and I've only been here for two years. He's an open book and what you see is what you get, and he's a great guy."
Jeremy Swayman:"He's the epitome of what we want in the locker room. Obviously up to him, but I'm so grateful to have every moment I can with him."
Chris Wagner:"It would be really sad for me, since I've been watching him since I was 14. And to get to play with him, too…I really hope he comes back…he was texting me pretty much probably once a month just to check in on me [when I was down in Providence]…I think he does a really good job of that, and he doesn't fake it at all. He actually cares about everyone in this room."