Update On Patrice Bergeron's Potential Retirement

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Austin Sabourin
May 27, 2023 (1:09 PM)

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The hockey world, including the Boston Bruins, was left in complete shock as the Florida Panthers pulled off an unexpected upset. With the off-season still a few weeks away, the Bruins now face a multitude of unanswered questions.

Among these pressing concerns is the fate of Patrice Bergeron, the team's respected captain and seasoned veteran of 18 years. In the wake of their Game 7 defeat, reporters approached Bergeron to inquire about his future plans. He responded by expressing his need for time to carefully consider what lies ahead, recognizing the significant impact his decision will have on the Bruins' future.

After dedicating 18 remarkable seasons to Boston, Bergeron finds himself with numerous options this offseason. He could opt for retirement, continue his storied career in Beantown, or perhaps explore the uncharted territory of wearing another team's jersey. Regardless of the outcome, it is certain that his decision will generate substantial news for both the city of Boston and the NHL at large.

In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Bruins, who had secured the Presidents' Trophy, saw their NHL season come to an abrupt end. For their captain, Patrice Bergeron, the loss in the grueling seven-game series was a bitter pill to swallow, both literally and figuratively.

In the aftermath of the disappointing Game 7 overtime defeat, Bergeron revealed that he had played through excruciating pain caused by a herniated disc in his back during the three games in which he participated.

"I have a herniated disc in my back, so that's why I missed four games and attempted to rush my return," Bergeron disclosed. "Although it's still stiff, I won't use it as an excuse. It is what it is. Everyone battles through injuries during the playoffs, but it's unfortunate that it happened due to a fluke incident."

Bergeron sustained the injury during the final game of the regular season, a contest that, in retrospect, held no real significance for him to participate in.

In those three games against the Florida Panthers, the Bruins' captain recorded an uncharacteristic minus-6 rating and only managed to tally a single point. If this indeed marks the end of his illustrious career, it is disheartening that he had to endure such physical discomfort during his final moments on the ice.

As the 37-year-old concludes his 19th NHL season, he now faces the critical decision of mapping out his future. For the time being, Bergeron focused on embracing his teammates and showing appreciation to the crowd as they bid farewell post-game.