My next player profile is on forward Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron appeared in 65 games for the Bruins last season, in which he produced at well over a point per game rate with 32 goals and 47 assists. He then played in 24 playoff games for the team on their run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, through which he tallied nine goals and eight assists. Drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins, Bergeron has appeared in 1028 career NHL games, over which he has recorded 321 goals and 492 assists. The 34-year-old center has only played for the Bruins over his 15 season NHL career.
One of the top two-way players in the game and a perennial Selke Trophy nominee, Bergeron can be relied on in all situations. Be it at even-strength (offensively or defensively) or on the power play or penalty kill, you put Bergeron out there, and he’ll do whatever he can to make sure it goes well. He’s phenomenal in the bumper position on the power play with his quick release and good hand-eye coordination, and he’s one of the Bruins’ top penalty killers. On the PK, he even manages to remain an offensive threat, particularly when paired with Brad Marchand. On top of all that, he possesses one of the most sought after attributes in an athlete in that he’s never satisfied in his performance and works tirelessly to get better every day. Bergeron is also one of the most humble guys you will find off the ice and would be captain of the team if it weren’t for Zdeno Chara. There just aren’t many better guys than him.
Focusing on the on-ice side of things, Bergeron is coming off of a career season despite being 34 years old, which is when you’d find most players in decline. But, Bergeron is not most players. He produced at a 1.22 PPG (points per game) pace last season, with 79 points in 65 games. Those 79 points were also a career-high, and his 32 goals tied his career-high set in 2015-16. His 47 assists were just one shy of his career high set in 2006-07. It’s crazy to think that this far into his career, he is setting new career highs in offensive categories, as that isn’t something you see very often. Bergeron is certainly a special player, and his willingness to play through injuries only makes that more apparent. You won’t see many players playing through a broken rib, punctured lung, and torn cartilage like Bergeron did during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. But, moving on, you won’t find many players who work harder or are more well-rounded than Bergeron. He may not be the most talented or the best at any one skill, but he’s good at everything so he doesn’t have to be. Players can know what he plans to do, but they still can’t stop him. He also makes those around him better regardless of their talent level, and his defensive responsibility tends to rub off on anyone he plays with, particularly young players. He brings everything you could possibly want him to and more to the table, and I couldn’t possibly say it all here without going on for far too long. All you really need to know is he’ll be a Bruin for life, a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, and his number 37 will be hanging from the rafters someday. He’s that good.
Next season, while it may not be realistic to say Bergeron will produce at quite the same pace, I think it’s safe to say he’ll still put up a lot of points while maintaining his high-level of all-around play. He’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and if anything he’s improved over the past few seasons. Unfortunately, he has had groin issues, but hopefully, he can get enough rest this offseason and those won’t be a big problem next season. Regardless, it’s a safe bet to say we’ll see another big season for the last Bruin to ever wear number 37, especially if he stays with Marchand and Pastrnak, as they combine to form one of the best (if not the best) lines in the league. But, no matter what, we’ll see the same hard-working, two-way force of the perennial Selke Trophy nominee that we always do, and hopefully with better injury luck. But, as always, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens beginning in October!
Hockey Addict 