While rumors of a possible stay at the Montreal Canadiens were already doing the rounds, Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron was quick to dismiss the possibility on Monday.
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“No,” the 36-year-old veteran, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, replied simply when a journalist asked him during the season’s final report if he saw himself playing anywhere other than Boston. So for the four-time Selke Trophy winner, it’s retirement or the Bruins.
It was Bergeron himself who, somewhat against his will, opened the door to speculation. On Saturday, after the 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes that eliminated his Bruins in seven games, the Quebec native took the time to hug all of his teammates on the ice at PNC Arena. Moments later, he indicated that a period of reflection would be necessary before making a decision about his future.
“Right now it’s too early,” he said. It’s still too fresh.”
other praise
Bergeron was praised again on Monday, this time by Chris Wagner. The latter had a difficult season, but he believes that Bergeron helped him a lot to react well under the circumstances to be the best possible point guard.
After 358 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with several different teams, Wagner was unable to maintain his place on the Bruins defensive roster and was eliminated early in the season.
Frustrated, however, he received the support of Bergeron, who contacted him frequently to hear from him, and he did not hide the fact that he was inspired by his teammate’s actions.
“He would probably text me once a month just to check on me,” Wagner said of Bergeron. I think you have to do that with the younger players. It’s one thing to be in the arena, but you can experience difficult things outside.
“I think he’s doing a good job with it. He doesn’t pretend at all, he really cares about everyone. That’s one thing I want to take away from him.”
Wagner took advantage of the encouragement from Bergeron, but also from his entourage, so that he scored a total of 15 goals and 27 points in 62 games with the Bruins of Providence. He did enough to earn an audition with the big club at the end of the season while the regulars were resting and he jumped at the chance.
He is now hoping to continue his good times at the end of the season this autumn. He will be preparing for a regular job with the team and hopes to do so alongside Bergeron.
“It would be a shame for me [qu’il parte]’cause I’ve been watching it since I was 14. Then I played with him, so I really hope he comes back.”
Jakub Zboril will return to Boston
The Boston Bruins have granted defenseman Jakub Zboril a two-year contract extension, whose compensation will add about $1.13 million annually to the organization’s payroll.
The 25-year-old hockey player received $725,000 this year and could have enjoyed full autonomy this summer. During the regular season, he had three assists in ten games for the big club after undergoing knee surgery on December 2 for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
A former Saint-Jean Sea Dogs member of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (LHJMQ), Zboril has played 54 National League games in his career.
The Bruins were eliminated in the seventh game of their series on Saturday after a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.