Patrice Bergeron (37) and David Krejci (46) Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins give update on pair of longtime stars

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/27/23

Two months after the team's record season came to a premature end , Boston Bruins president Cam Neely updated fans on the status of longtime stars David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron on Tuesday.

Neely's media session came as the organization prepares for the 2023 NHL Draft as well, which begins on Wednesday. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney spoke about the pair of 37-year-old players as well.

GM Don Sweeney said what Bergeron and Krejci ultimately decide won’t impact how they operate now and through free agency. They will get them in if they want to return.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 27, 2023

Since being selected in the second round of the 2003 and 2004 drafts, respectively, Bergeron and Krejci have been two of the faces most synonymous with Bruins hockey in the 21st century. Likely approaching the end of their days on the ice, however, both skaters have been candid about their uncertain futures with the team in recent months.

Bergeron was named an alternate captain ahead of the 2006-07 season and became the captain in 2021 after Zdeno Chara left Boston via free agency. Krejci has been an alternate captain for the black and gold since 2013.

Bergeron also holds the NHL record for most Frank J. Selke Trophy Awards with six, an honor given to the top defensive forward.

An All-Star, Bergeron has played in the third-most regular-season games in franchise history (trailing only Hall of Famers Ray Bourque and Johnny Bucyk) and second-most playoff tilts (only behind Bourque). Krejci has laced up for the fifth-most regular-season games in team history and third-most postseason contests.

The two are tied for second with fellow face of the franchise Brad Marchand for franchise postseason points at 128, trailing only Bourque, who finished his Bruins career with 161 points.

Bergeron signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract last summer to return to Boston for his 19th season. After Boston was eliminated from last year's playoffs, he said that he'd either retire or re-sign with the franchise.

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