Bergeron Reveals Thoughts On Accepting Team-Friendly Deal

It was a team-friendly deal that the Boston Bruins announced today with their long-time center Patrice Bergeron. Coming off a deal that paid him $3.75M per year, and having earned as much as $8.75M per season a few years back, accepting this $2.5M contract was nevertheless still an easy call for the Bruins captain.

Patrice Bergeron: "I've made more money than I ever thought I would in hockey. Leaving a few [dollars] on the table to make sure you're a good team, and make sure you're a competitive team for years to come is what I've wanted to do. That's something that started here before me"
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) August 8, 2022

"I've made more money than I ever thought I would in hockey," said the 37-year-old Bergeron. "Leaving a few [dollars] on the table to make sure you're a good team, and make sure you're a competitive team for years to come is what I've wanted to do."

The class act will be back for his 19th year with the Bruins, coming off a 65-point season, that included 25 goals, and another Frank J. Selke trophy—his 5th—as top defensive forward in the NHL.

There was some talk earlier in the offseason about whether or not Bergeron might retire. But he cleared up that misconception as well:

Patrice Bergeron: "I'm not ready for the next step of my life. I still have something in the tank and something left to give."
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) August 8, 2022