Patrice Bergeron: “Kent Hughes knows me well enough to know that I will only play in Boston”

This morning, the Boston Bruins delighted their fans by announcing not only that David Krejci would be returning to the team in 2022-23, but also that Patrice Bergeron would also be returning for another season with the team.

And clearly, it was a big day for Don Sweeney, who also agreed with Pavel Zacha to avoid salary arbitration.

But of course, the biggest piece of all this is without a doubt the return of Bergeron, who is the first centre-back, the captain, the heart and soul of this team. Losing Bergeron would have hurt the Bruins a lot.

In recent months, there have been rumors that Bergeron could be a CH target this summer given that his former agent, Kent Hughes, is now the Canadiens’ general manager. Personally, I never believed it, but it spread.

At a news conference today, Bergeron was asked if Hughes had tried to lure him to Montreal. And his answer is quite clear:

(Kent Hughes) has known me for 20 years, so he knows me well enough to know that the Bruins were the only team he wanted to play for. –Patrice Bergeron

If we trust the words of the main interested party, therefore, Hughes probably did not even dare to call him to ask if he was interested in playing with the CH. And honestly, it’s really no more serious than that.

The Habs are currently under reconstruction. Barring a titanic upset, the team will still languish at the bottom of the standings next year. So what’s the benefit of bringing a guy like Bergeron to town, who’s 37 years old and may be in his final year in the NHL?

Aside from ticket and jersey sales, there aren’t really any in terms of hockey, both for the CH and for the player, who wants to try to win another Stanley Cup (hence his decision to take out less money to stay in town).

At the limit, a guy like 35-year-old Kris Letang would have made a little more sense than Bergeron for CH (especially since Letang signed a six-year deal, suggesting he’s ready for a long-term commitment). But even there, it was a bit far-fetched (although in Letang’s case, I confess to briefly believing it).

But in short, Bergeron stays where he belongs, and that’s perfect. Hopefully he can continue to be the standout defensive center he has been for years.

A lot of

– Colleague Mitch Giguère joins the coaching staff of the Carabins women’s hockey team. Great news!

The decision to leave professional hockey was not an easy one, but the decision to join the @carabines it will have been easy thanks to @coachdaniele and Isabella.

Here is my next adventure that will be sure to bring high level hockey and family together https://t.co/JgoCnSDuwV

— Mitch Giguere (@Mitch_Giguere) August 8, 2022

– Good read on Connor Bedard.

– Rain delays the start of the competition at the National Bank Open (in Montreal).

🎾 Not the desired start of the main draw in Montreal. The first games will not start before 3:00 p.m. (rain).

— Alexander Pratt (@alexandrepratt) August 8, 2022

– He’s the best pitcher in the world.

– I am sorry?