Bergeron Retires

[The OC]

End of the legend.

www.nhl.com/bruins/news/a-statement-from-patrice-bergeron/c-345429764

[50belowzero]

A bit surprising to me but in the end not really, all the best Bergy on your retirement!!

[dannycater]

Sad day. He was the last bridge for me from the pre-Julien era. I saw his first NHL goal in person at then Staples Center in LA. 18-year-old rookie.
Greatest 200-foot guy probably in league history, certainly one of the top 3 faceoff men. What a shitty way for him to go out as a B in those playoffs. I feel terrible for him that even his last reg. season game was a few minutes in front of his family, then felled to injury. Sad. But he did get that goal in game 5 and he was the classiest NHL player in NHL history. Ambassador of the game and to the B's. Never forget sliding goal in game 7 of 11 Cup Final and of course The Comeback v. Toronto. Patrice was and is a legend.

[dannycater]

Window officially closed. Great run by Bergeron, Krejci, Chara, Rask, Marchand. New window to open up soon I hope.

[dannycater]

One wonders if Krejci now comes back if only to have one more run on the Czechmates. With 37 gone, they need him to return.

[#4 Bobby Orr! GOAT!]

Selfish retires on the 100th season.

Fuck I hate this

Marchand will be Captain.

Gonna miss you Bergie

[seobrien]

I'm happy for him but so incredibly sad to see him go. Like, it really hurts.

[dannycater]

Now put up #37 and do that ceremony the right way. and the crowd better give him a 5-minute standing ovation.

[shuper]

Jul 25, 2023 14:21:57 GMT seobrien said:

I'm happy for him but so incredibly sad to see him go. Like, it really hurts.

This one hurts. I wasn’t prepared for this. I had hoped he would have one last dance. He’s still elite. Maybe that’s why he’s going out this way.
The Best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be- Bret Hart.

[kelvana33]

I heard last week he was returning, which made sense to me because why would he take that long. We throw the word "great" around too much, but not here. He was great.

Now, it's official, the B's have a huge hole at the center position. I worry about the ripple effect it will have on Marchand, Pasta and others.

[seobrien]

I think it is a real testament that across the internet just about every single fan of the game is showing him the mad respect he deserves. Even Habs and Leafs fans are singing his praises.

Honestly, not only was he the best two-way player of this generation and and maybe even all time, but simply his humanity, humility, decency and dedication to "doing it right" is unparalleled as far as I can tell. An example for every kid who laces up the skates to emulate.

We've been fortunate to the point of being spoiled.

We won't see his like again.

[Lord Markwart]

I remember when Crosby was in his prime and there were a lot of other flashier options Team Canada could have went with, but they smartly put him with Bergeron and Marchand and that line was totally devastating. No doubt one of the best to ever wear the spoked B. Also rare nowadays to have one guy for his entire career. Even Bourque and Orr played for others.

[dannycater]

Jul 25, 2023 15:17:40 GMT Lord Markwart said:

I remember when Crosby was in his prime and there were a lot of other flashier options Team Canada could have went with, but they smartly put him with Bergeron and Marchand and that line was totally devastating. No doubt one of the best to ever wear the spoked B. Also rare nowadays to have one guy for his entire career. Even Bourque and Orr played for others.

Brady, Betts, Pierce, I thought they would be one team guys....

[stevegm]

conflicted on this. so many, virtually all, love the game so much...they stay as long as possible. I respect that.

doing it on your terms? not so much. Don't really see the valor in that logic. other than stroking ones own sense of power...whats the upside?

i don't appreciate waste either. 37 wasn't some hanger-on, looking to make enough to take himself from financially comfortable...to filthy rich. Bergeron was still an elite hockey player by any sensible standard. so many would run over grandma to have the opportunity, he's passing on.

but it's also his choice, not anyone elses. screw the fans, they aren't entitled to another season of Bergy.

all in all, i've lost a little respect for 37 though. since he's plenty good enough, imo, there should be a brighter fire burning than last year at this time. he's pissing on the Gods, that bestowed upon him, the amazing opportunity to still be doing this, at the highest level.

something the locals may be interested in too. I think tuuka makes his home in boston, as does chara, bourque, Orr. many of the icons have, and it says something bigger than their press releases about the community. will PB hang around?

always been a big 37 fan, but there are others in the recent era, that are equals to me.
DK, probably been my #1 over the last 20 years, simply because he always got more criticism. Like Patrice, I admired his understated persona. chara was right there as an equal too, because of his determination. for me, it was always something above the game, that cemented the player attachment for me.

having said all that, I completely understood DK's decision to go home. Made so much sense to me, as it was the opposite of selfish. I love that he came back for peanuts. I really didn't expect that.

but he's plenty good enough right now too....and if....like Bergeron...decides another 6 months of this entitled dream-world, is more bother than the millions are worth......I'll lose some respect for him too. He'll be pissing on the Gods also.

Chara turned his life, completely inside out...for the chance to "competitively"...play competitive hockey at the highest level. Despite the easy route.... of armchairing his way out(he certainly could have got 2 more years in with the Bruins, had he been content being the designated 7th D)
I absolutely admire that determination, and willingness to take the hard route.

If he comes back...DK will be the go-to C. Should be lots to get excited about there. If he doesn't....?

There isn't much question about the PB, DK era. the Bruins have been about the best team in the league overall, but they've under delivered when it comes to the top prize.

Too many players, too interested in "their own terms"....their entitled lives, could be "a" reason.

maybe not.

sad day.

[dannycater]

Jul 25, 2023 15:45:41 GMT stevegm said:

conflicted on this. so many, virtually all, love the game so much...they stay as long as possible. I respect that.

doing it on your terms? not so much. Don't really see the valor in that logic. other than stroking ones own sense of power...whats the upside?

i don't appreciate waste either. 37 wasn't some hanger-on, looking to make enough to take himself from financially comfortable...to filthy rich. Bergeron was still an elite hockey player by any sensible standard. so many would run over grandma to have the opportunity, he's passing on.

but it's also his choice, not anyone elses. screw the fans, they aren't entitled to another season of Bergy.

all in all, i've lost a little respect for 37 though. since he's plenty good enough, imo, there should be a brighter fire burning than last year at this time. he's pissing on the Gods, that bestowed upon him, the amazing opportunity to still be doing this, at the highest level.

something the locals may be interested in too. I think tuuka makes his home in boston, as does chara, bourque, Orr. many of the icons have, and it says something bigger than their press releases about the community. will PB hang around?

always been a big 37 fan, but there are others in the recent era, that are equals to me.
DK, probably been my #1 over the last 20 years, simply because he always got more criticism. Like Patrice, I admired his understated persona. chara was right there as an equal too, because of his determination. for me, it was always something above the game, that cemented the player attachment for me.

having said all that, I completely understood DK's decision to go home. Made so much sense to me, as it was the opposite of selfish. I love that he came back for peanuts. I really didn't expect that.

but he's plenty good enough right now too....and if....like Bergeron...decides another 6 months of this entitled dream-world, is more bother than the millions are worth......I'll lose some respect for him too. He'll be pissing on the Gods also.

Chara turned his life, completely inside out...for the chance to "competitively"...play competitive hockey at the highest level. Despite the easy route.... of armchairing his way out(he certainly could have got 2 more years in with the Bruins, had he been content being the designated 7th D)
I absolutely admire that determination, and willingness to take the hard route.

If he comes back...DK will be the go-to C. Should be lots to get excited about there. If he doesn't....?

There isn't much question about the PB, DK era. the Bruins have been about the best team in the league overall, but they've under delivered when it comes to the top prize.

Too many players, too interested in "their own terms"....their entitled lives, could be "a" reason.

maybe not.

sad day.

steve, you are incredible...the guy was a Golden God, I criticized him for end of season/playoffs--rushing back and forcing his way into lineup....but his retirement is after nearly 2 decades of hockey...go fuck yourself with that comment. Pathetic. Respect is what he earned, respect is what he deserves, and in retiring today, respect should be what B's fans give him. Period. 

[moognoates]

I do wonder if there is any correlation to not winning these big games and retiring when you are still near elite, as captain going into your organization's 100th year. Ending in such embarrassing fashion as last year ended. Bergy will forever be one of my favorites all time but not impressed with how this has ended.

[sandogbrewin]

Congratulations Patrice!!! Totally understand and the physical aspect can takes its toll.

Sucks no more Bergeron. He was a joy to have. Lucky Bird, Bourque and Bergeron had long careers.

[dannycater]

Jul 25, 2023 16:00:04 GMT moognoates said:

I do wonder if there is any correlation to not winning these big games and retiring when you are still near elite, as captain going into your organization's 100th year. Ending in such embarrassing fashion as last year ended. Bergy will forever be one of my favorites all time but not impressed with how this has ended.

moogs, pro athletes are human beings...I'm pretty sure he took a long time to ponder coming back one more time...I think the sour ending drove him into retirement and the narrative about 100th anniversary and going out while still a high-end center is just that...a narrative and not a good one either. He doesn't owe anyone anything and I'm disappointed but when you retire, you retire...it's the hardest decision every pro athlete has to deal with and Brady and Bergeron went as far as they did and one was more team successful but both went out before they became Gretzky or Namath or Willie Mays for that matter. Their endings were meek and hung on too long it appears. 

[thanx4memORRies]

Maybe Bergy asked his wife to make his b-day wish….

Bergy leaves on a high having accomplished what he probably set out for himself 19 years ago….

With another child on hand and injuries starting to get harder to overcome, it was the right time to call it a career….

Thanx Bergy, the rafters await you….

[thanx4memORRies]

Jul 25, 2023 16:00:04 GMT moognoates said:

I do wonder if there is any correlation to not winning these big games and retiring when you are still near elite, as captain going into your organization's 100th year. Ending in such embarrassing fashion as last year ended. Bergy will forever be one of my favorites all time but not impressed with how this has ended.

No guarantee it would have ended better next year….

Bergy had nothing left to prove….

[sandogbrewin]

Jul 25, 2023 15:05:14 GMT kelvana33 said:

I heard last week he was returning, which made sense to me because why would he take that long. We throw the word "great" around too much, but not here. He was great.

Now, it's official, the B's have a huge hole at the center position. I worry about the ripple effect it will have on Marchand, Pasta and others.

Heard the same thing weeks ago. Could see how he could have a change of heart. Maybe the wife put her foot down who knows.

[asmaha]

I am so heartbroken over this...by far my favorite player of all time and it'll be sad heading to the Garden knowing that #37 won't be playing. His retirement letter said all we need to know -- he mentions the physical and emotional sacrifice multiple times. "But after listening to my body, and talking with my family, I know in my heart that this is the right time to step away from playing the game I love...." Listening to his body leads the statement, and my guess is that it pretty much begins and ends there. He doesn't think he can play through the pain of the latest back issues.

The injury versus Montreal is a hard pill to swallow, but must have been incredibly difficult for Bergeron. He's a warrior and one of the very best to ever wear the Black & Gold. I wish him all the best and hope to see him with the organization in some capacity when he's ready to escape diaper duty.

[schlich]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck

No loss of respect here.

Someone already said “joy”. It sure was

[asmaha]

And by the way...I have zero issues with him playing that last game as he had plenty of rest leading up to it. I'm just thinking about him and how hard the playoffs must have been.

////

4/17 - Game 1 vs. FLA

Plenty more time off until playoffs.

4/13 - Montreal
4/11 - Played 15 minutes vs. WSH
4/9 - Did not play vs. PHI
4/8 - Played 16 mins vs. NJD
4/6 - Played 16 mins vs. TOR
4/2 - Did not play vs. STL
4/1 - Did not play vs. PIT

Then mins cut way back for the final 7 games.

3/30 - Played 18:30 vs CBJ
3/28 - Played 18:00 vs NSH

Alternating reduced minutes....

3/26 - Did not play vs. CAR
3/25 - Played 18:30 vs TBL
3/23 - Played 15:00 vs MTL
3/21 - Played 18:30 vs. OTT
3/19 - Played 11:30 vs. BUF
3/18 - Played 16:00 vs. MIN

And so on for most of March...

[stevegm]

Jul 25, 2023 15:56:13 GMT dannycater said:

Jul 25, 2023 15:45:41 GMT stevegm said:

conflicted on this. so many, virtually all, love the game so much...they stay as long as possible. I respect that.

doing it on your terms? not so much. Don't really see the valor in that logic. other than stroking ones own sense of power...whats the upside?

i don't appreciate waste either. 37 wasn't some hanger-on, looking to make enough to take himself from financially comfortable...to filthy rich. Bergeron was still an elite hockey player by any sensible standard. so many would run over grandma to have the opportunity, he's passing on.

but it's also his choice, not anyone elses. screw the fans, they aren't entitled to another season of Bergy.

all in all, i've lost a little respect for 37 though. since he's plenty good enough, imo, there should be a brighter fire burning than last year at this time. he's pissing on the Gods, that bestowed upon him, the amazing opportunity to still be doing this, at the highest level.

something the locals may be interested in too. I think tuuka makes his home in boston, as does chara, bourque, Orr. many of the icons have, and it says something bigger than their press releases about the community. will PB hang around?

always been a big 37 fan, but there are others in the recent era, that are equals to me.
DK, probably been my #1 over the last 20 years, simply because he always got more criticism. Like Patrice, I admired his understated persona. chara was right there as an equal too, because of his determination. for me, it was always something above the game, that cemented the player attachment for me.

having said all that, I completely understood DK's decision to go home. Made so much sense to me, as it was the opposite of selfish. I love that he came back for peanuts. I really didn't expect that.

but he's plenty good enough right now too....and if....like Bergeron...decides another 6 months of this entitled dream-world, is more bother than the millions are worth......I'll lose some respect for him too. He'll be pissing on the Gods also.

Chara turned his life, completely inside out...for the chance to "competitively"...play competitive hockey at the highest level. Despite the easy route.... of armchairing his way out(he certainly could have got 2 more years in with the Bruins, had he been content being the designated 7th D)
I absolutely admire that determination, and willingness to take the hard route.

If he comes back...DK will be the go-to C. Should be lots to get excited about there. If he doesn't....?

There isn't much question about the PB, DK era. the Bruins have been about the best team in the league overall, but they've under delivered when it comes to the top prize.

Too many players, too interested in "their own terms"....their entitled lives, could be "a" reason.

maybe not.

sad day.

steve, you are incredible...the guy was a Golden God, I criticized him for end of season/playoffs--rushing back and forcing his way into lineup....but his retirement is after nearly 2 decades of hockey...go fuck yourself with that comment. Pathetic. Respect is what he earned, respect is what he deserves, and in retiring today, respect should be what B's fans give him. Period. 

you better hit the edit button again, if you're too juvenile to get the flip side of "golden god".

he's simply a hockey player, you fekin puddinhead.  it's a million miles between respect and god, and when it comes to athletes, my odometer doesn't go past a hundred thousand.  he's been blessed with the opportunity to play a childs game, at a high level.....for millions.  turning your back on that kind of unimaginable annointing, while still a very young man...does not move him up the ladder imo.  only down a rung or 2.

if one leg fell off, since the playoffs, I'll reconsider.

in the meantime, go back to your Batman comics.