Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron returns for 19th season

BOSTON — Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron is back for another season.

Selke, who won his trophy five times in his career, announced Monday that he will be playing with the Bruins on Monday, nearly three months after leaving the ice unsure of a return. signed a one-year contract. He will be paid his $2.5 million, plus he could be paid $2.5 million in incentives.

Bergeron, 36, led the Bruins to his NHL Championship in 2011, and he also made two Stanley Cup Finals appearances. He spent 18 years as a dominant two-way he forward in the league. Boston was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes on May 14, and three weeks later the Blues fired coach Cassidy.

Jim Montgomery was hired to replace Cassidy, and the new coach said at his introductory press conference that Bergeron was his first call. Team CEO Charlie Jacobs said Bergeron is expected to return.

"So fingers crossed," he said in July.

It worked.

Bergeron has his 400 goals and 582 assists. All this with the Bruins, who selected him in the second round of the 2003 draft. Since then, he has established himself as one of the game's most respected players.

When he leaves, the Bruins are expected to retire his number 37 jersey, and he will be very honored as his 12th player. He could be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot as soon as he is eligible.

But it won't be until 2026, at least for him.

Bergeron is third in Bruins history with his 1,216 games played, and he ranks fourth in goals, assists and points. He ranks second all-time in the Original Six franchise with 47 playoff goals and his 123 points.

His 11th straight season for Bergeron as a Selke finalist — including this year — is the longest record for an NHL Award top-three finish, and Wayne Gretzky's 10th consecutive MVP final. It broke the record as a list. (Gretzky won the Hart Trophy his ninth time.)

Bergeron will play without a future contract for the first time in his career in 2021-22, With 40 assists, he scored 25 goals and contributed to the Bruins' reach. 14th playoff in his 18th season. They lost to the Hurricanes in seven games.

"That's why he's probably going to hurt more. It's unclear what his relationship will be with him next year," said Brad Marchand, his second-longest-serving forward on the roster. He spoke after losing in Game 7.

"He has done a lot and sacrificed a lot for this group," Marchand said. "I wish I could have done a better run for him. So, it's a shame."

Bergeron was the last Boston player to leave the ice in Carolina, and made his teammate a hurricane.

However, he said he hadn't decided on his future yet. I was.

"It's hard to finish like this," Bergeron said after the match. "It stings. It's not the feeling you want. But that being said, we did it together.

Bruins roster from the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team. Bergeron and Marchand are the only ones left with long-time captain Zdeno Chara leaving as a free agent in 2020 and David Kureci choosing to play at home to the Czech Republic last summer. Goaltender Tukka Lusk has ruled out returning from hip surgery mid-season. Jeremy Swayman of the 28-year-old Humphus Lindholm was acquired mid-season to bolster the defense and Marchand, 33, remains one of the most dangerous scorers in the league.

Hall of Famer history since the Big Bad Bruins of Bobby Oh, Phil Esposito, Jerry Cheevers, and John Basic.

"He's the backbone of our team. He's clearly the backbone of our team." team,” Marchand said after the playoffs. “So yeah, we want him back.