Patrice Bergeron believes the Bruins are nonetheless in good arms with their present management group

Bruins

“I believe it is a terrific problem and that is what I believe individuals must be enthusiastic about.”

Patrice Bergeron doesn’t have loads of regrets today.

The previous Bruins captain shared that sentiment a number of instances throughout his radio look with WEEI’s “Greg Hill Present” throughout Tuesday’s WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.

Whether or not or not it’s his choice to play in Boston’s remaining regular-season recreation or his name to hold up his skates this summer time, Bergeron is at peace with how he closed out his standout profession.

“A variety of indicators through the season sort of led me in the direction of that call on the finish,” Bergeron stated. “However after all, you end the common season with one of the best document ever, you’re aspiring [for] nice issues within the playoffs. After all it was a really disappointing ending for everybody, particularly for us as gamers having to undergo all that.

“So yeah, I assume for slightly little bit of time I used to be second-guessing it and sort of pondering, however on the similar time, there have been too many issues and too many indicators. After all the physique is primary, and all of the mileage I placed on myself and the quantity of video games and quantity of years. Sadly, it simply led me to make the precise choice for myself and for my household, and it was to hold ’em up.”

After all, whereas Bergeron has no qualms along with his choice, his exit does create a large void on a 2023-24 Bruins roster that has seen a big core of expertise sapped away this summer time.

With David Krejci additionally retiring, Boston is with out its 1-2 punch down the center that helped anchor the staff’s ahead corps for near twenty years.

A extreme cap crunch additionally pressured Don Sweeney to deal away winger Taylor Corridor and saved the staff on the sidelines when gamers like Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov left in free company.

Nonetheless, Bergeron stays bullish on the Bruins’ possibilities of remaining aggressive this season, particularly with each Jim Montgomery and a lot of established leaders nonetheless on the helm within the dressing room.

“I’ve no worries in any respect,” Bergeron defined. “I believe Monty, he’s obtained some expertise, he’s been round for a very long time. He’s gained at each stage and I believe additionally the blokes which can be there, it’s lots of the identical guys coming again … They know what to do. They’re going to be themselves and so they’re going to cleared the path they lead and I’ve no worries about that in any respect, to be sincere with you.”

Boston will be unable to duplicate each Bergeron and Krejci’s playmaking capabilities and two-way acumen.

However even when Boston’s offensive firepower take a step again in 2023-24, the Bruins ought to be capable of accrue factors at a gradual charge thanks a largely intact defensive unit and goaltending combo that led the league in objectives allowed per recreation final winter at 2.12 — properly forward of second-place Carolina (2.56 objectives allowed per recreation).

Add within the return of 60-goal scorer David Pastrnak, different top-six wingers in Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk, in addition to gamers with room to develop like Pavel Zacha, and Bergeron believes Boston ought to be capable of stay within the playoff hunt.

“After all, yearly you need to sort of reassess and are available collectively as a staff,” Bergeron stated. “There’s at all times some shifting components. It’s the character of the sport that some guys go away and a few guys retire as properly typically. But in addition some new gamers coming in and the most important problem is to make that gel and are available collectively.

“However I believe it’s a terrific problem and that’s what I believe individuals must be enthusiastic about. I believe they’ve some guys that they know what path they need to go in the direction of and I’m positive they’re gonna make guys observe swimsuit and Monty’s obtained the brains so far as a hockey coach and the best way that he explains, but additionally he’s nice to narrate to guys and join with them. So yeah, I believe they’re in nice arms.”

As for which Bruin will don the “C” on their sweater now that Bergeron has retired, the longer term Corridor-of-Famer opted to not speculate, including that the present roster has many deserving candidates.

“I’m not fearful about management on this staff,” Bergeron stated. “I believe there’s clearly Brad, the place I’ve been with for thus lengthy and we now have a connection. We’re excellent pals and I’ve lots of respect for him and when he’s performed and what he’s been in a position to accomplish thus far in his profession. I believe he’s obtained an increasing number of to present.

“Clearly there’s Charlie McAvoy, there’s Pasta, there’s lots of guys and it’s less than me to resolve. I believe they’re in nice arms with management and I’ll let Monty and the remainder of his employees sort of make the choice.”