As first reported by Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette last Thursday, Boston Bruins center/forward Patrice Bergeron is expected to return to the team likely on a one year deal.
The team must address several roster issues this summer before signing the 36 year old Bergeron, who would return for a 19th season all with Boston. The native of L’Ancienne Lorette Canada, was considering retirement after a Bruins first round exit from the NHL Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes last month. Bergeron is coming off a season in which he tallied 25 goals and 40 assists, and won an NHL record fifth Selke Trophy (top forward who also demonstrates the most defensive skill). Boston is also expected to be missing Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelyck at the beginning of the 2022-23 season due to off-season surgeries.
In other Bruins news, the team announced on Monday that they have extended the contact of General Manager Don Sweeney according to Team President Cam Neely. Many fans called for the end of Sweeneys tenure as GM after the firing of head coach Bruce Cassidy on June 6. Cassidy signed on four days later to become the head coach in Las Vegas with the Golden Knights, while Boston still remains without a bench boss. A statement by Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs read, “We are proud to extend Don Sweeney to a multi-year contract as General Manager of the Boston Bruins. Under his management, the Boston Bruins have been one of the winningest franchises in the league and a perennial playoff contender year in and year out. While we recognize there is work to be done to achieve the ultimate goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Boston, I’m confident that Don’s commitment to being best-in-class on and off the ice will help us climb that mountain once again.” Exact terms and compensation of the new multi-year contract were not announced.
