What’s next for Bruins, Patrice Bergeron after retirement?

When Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement Tuesday morning, all I could think of was the level of respect he had among his peers. Every player would want Bergeron on his team, and that speaks volumes.

In NHL locker rooms, there’s always talk of the game’s best and especially who is the most dangerous in certain situations. Morning meetings are centered around stifling the opposition’s superstars, of which Bergeron most certainly was.

What always struck me about Bergeron wasn’t the fear he instilled in opponents. It was the amount of respect players had for his 200-foot game. While flashy moves and highlight-reel goals weren’t necessarily his thing, he could beat you in so many different ways. Simply put: Bergeron did it all during his illustrious 19-year career as a Bruin.

Everyone in hockey knew it, but sometimes I wonder if Bergeron was appreciated by fans in the same way. Outside of Boston, and maybe even the Eastern Conference, I think Bergeron flew under the radar. Don’t get me wrong, I think people knew who he was, but I’m not sure they realized Bergeron was truly among the NHL’s elite.

It’s easy to get labeled: Bergeron won the Frank J. Selke Trophy six times as the NHL’s best defensive forward. His reputation of being diligent on both sides of the puck was well earned, but at times, especially later in his career, Bergeron’s reputation as a defensive stalwart preceded him.

In reality, he was just as dangerous with the puck on his stick as he was without it. He scored more than 30 goals five times during his career and racked up more than 1,000 points during regular-season play. Bergeron won the Stanley Cup in 2011 with Boston and amassed 50 goals in 170 postseason games before hanging up his skates Tuesday.

If you ask me, Bergeron is a sure bet for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He won two Winter Olympic gold medals with Team Canada and countless other awards during international play. Bergeron appeared in three NHL All-Star Games and took home the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2021. There are no holes in his resume.

My question is this: From the start of Bergeron’s NHL career in 2003 to the time it concluded in 2023, was he the league’s best all-around forward? He was an elite penalty killer, and Bergeron was a monster in the faceoff circle. His career 57.9 percent winning percentage is among the NHL’s all-time best. To think that since 2003, Bergeron won 1,825 faceoffs while his team was shorthanded is mindblowing when you consider Ryan Kesler is second best at 1,427.

Sidney Crosby, Bergeron’s main competition for the best all-around player title, has only 343 shorthanded faceoff wins during his 1,190-game NHL career. He hasn’t been a primary killer for years in Pittsburgh. Bergeron, at the age of 38, was still the first player over the boards for Boston when the team went a man down.

Maybe I place too much emphasis on all aspects of the game, not just the offensive side, but if you ask me, there’s a case for Bergeron. That’s also what makes me nervous about the future of the Bruins. What happens now that the team’s captain — the heart and soul of Boston — has retired?

It’s a tough question to answer, because David Krejci’s future also remains uncertain. Maybe he comes back for another tour of duty, but with Bergeron out, that doesn’t seem likely.

Without the duo, Boston looks very different down the middle. The center ice position had been a pillar of strength for the Bruins, especially with Charlie Coyle in the No. 3 slot. While I love the step forward Pavel Zacha took during the 2022-23 season, can he be counted on to play an elevated role on Boston’s top line alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak?

There’s no way Bergeron’s retirement caught Bruins management off guard, but I am surprised the team didn’t do anything to bolster its spine. Coyle is a great player. I love him as a third-line center, and recent free-agent addition Morgan Geekie still has untapped potential at the NHL level.

But you know who Boston might really have to lean on? Trent Frederic, the 29th overall pick from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Up until this point of his five-year career, Frederic has been used on the wing, but he’s a natural center. Head coach Jim Montgomery has hinted at Frederic returning to his preferred position.

The 25-year old from St. Louis scored 17 times during the 2022-23 season and tacked on 14 assists. He’s a fearless forechecker who can play in a variety of situations. Sound familiar? 

I’m not saying Frederic is going to replace Bergeron on the first line. The offensive side of his game is a work in progress, but it’s trending in the right direction. What I do believe is that Frederic gives Montgomery options. It’s intriguing to think of him as a possible solution on the second or third line if his game continues to grow.

Really what this comes down to is a lot of hope and not many answers for the Bruins. Bergeron was a supreme talent, one of the NHL’s best in the last two decades. Replacing him will be impossible.

It’s times like these when a superstar retires that a franchise has to forge a new identity. Someone has to take the wheel and guide the ship, and thankfully Boston has Montgomery, one of the NHL’s brightest coaching minds, to help shape the future.

No question Bergeron will have his No. 37 retired by the Bruins. Anything less would be a disservice, and I can’t help but wonder: What’s Bergeron’s second act? He’s made enough money that he doesn’t need to do anything. Whatever he does next will be born of passion.

After 19 years with Boston, the franchise would be wise to leave the door open for Bergeron. Anyone who thinks the game at his level should be retained and valued. Whether it be coaching or management, I’m certain Bergeron has a bright future in hockey should he choose to pursue it.