Should Bergeron Keep Playing

[wiffleballhero]

Still elite in many ways.
This is a tough way to go out, and it might be well worth making it not how he goes out.

OTOH

He's not getting any younger.
Most great players actually don't get to end the career with a win in the last game. Might as well hang 'em up.

 

[Shaky Walton]

As a fan, I hope he comes back, and gives it another go. He's still a very good player.

If I was his friend or relative and he sought my advice, I would say to hang them up. He's had a long, storied career, and the grind of another season doesn't seem to be worth it. Yeah, the Bs will contend again next year, but we see from this year's debacle that the playoffs are a crapshoot.

 

[stp]

As a fan, I would love to see him back. He's still a great player. While the fan part of me will be disappointed if he doesn't come back, I know he has to think of his quality of life. For that reason I voted that it's time to retire. (I really hated typing that).

 

[Bozo Texino]

He's earned the right to do whatever he wants.

I mean, I HOPE he comes back. But if he retires, good for him.

 

[mikeford]

If you just kinda lost in the 2nd round or the conference finals I can see just being like alright, I'm done.

If there's anything left in the tank I cannot imagine retiring on that series as your last.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

This answer fights an apparent premise of your question, but I think he should keep playing if he wants to. He’s earned the right to keep playing as long as he’s productive, and it’s not like they’ve got a replacement in the wings.

 

[veritas]

I don't know why older players insist on and/or are expected to play a full season. To me, it's insane for someone in their late 30's to play 100 professional hockey games in a year. Especially one with a history of breaking down late in the season. He's earned the right to show up in February, and it makes sense for optimizing his value. Can they make the playoffs without him next season is a separate question...

 

[Salem's Lot]

How bad is his back? Does he need surgery if he was going to keep playing that he wouldn’t need if he was just going to be a normal physically active 38 year old man? I know that would be the thing I would be thinking of first.

 

[wiffleballhero]

I voted for 'longer than Yaz,' but I actually think the right answer -- and the coolest answer for the team -- is probably the playoff push. It would be a great move and the Bruins will all but certainly be running centers next year who could slide to the wing if need be.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I voted that he should come back.

However, he's been here for 18 years and if he'd ready to retire then he should go.

But, he's still a damned good player. Ten straight years of 20+ goals and it would probably be 13 if not for the 2012-13 work stoppage. 27 goals, 58 points, Selke candidate. That's not a guy who is washed up. If the question was solely "can he still contribute" the answer has to be yes.

I do like the idea of a plan that doesn't necessarily have him playing every game.

 

[SoFloSoxFan]

I'm not willing to vote for any of those options. The only option I would have voted for is that Bergeron should do what he chooses to do.

What he said last July:

"The kids obviously love Boston, it's their home as well, so that was a nonissue there," Bergeron said. "After that, it was more making sure that I missed the game again. And when I had those feelings, I felt like it was it was time and I needed to play one more year and come back. It was more just letting my body and my brain and mentally just know what I wanted, and really listening to that. Once I felt like the desire and the passion was there ... to me is the indicator that you need to keep playing."

 

[Bergs]

I voted wait for the playoff push. I fucking adore the man, and maybe we could get Suzyn Waldman in the booth to shriek "he's back! he's back" when he shows up the first time.

That said, I think he's done. I can't even think about that last hug w/63 without tearing up. I think that was goodbye.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I think he's coming back. Probably because I want him to so much.
But I don't think he wants to go out like that. I think he'll run it back for one more year, ideally in a reduced schedule.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Retire. I don't buy the "He can't go out this way". Who's to say he won't go out horrible next season? He most likely will.

Yes, I'm still bitter.

 

[wiffleballhero]

In 2023-24 the Bruins will be better with Bergeron than without him.

Beyond my own selfish desire for Bergeron to play, I also just sort of can't shake the sense that he really still has such a great game that will continue to be a powerful contribution to a contending level hockey team. I hope he still wants it because he's not limping to the end, at least not yet.

 

[RIFan]

I’d prefer an option along the lines of whatever he wants to do is fine with me. It’s his choice and his timetable to decide. He’s earned that right.
My hope is that he does continue. I would be thrilled with him serving essentially as a mid year acquisition. Let him heal up and preserve his body while letting the young guys get more minutes.

 

[wiffleballhero]

I’d prefer an option along the lines of whatever he wants to do is fine with me. It’s his choice and his timetable to decide. He’s earned that right.

He's earned the right to do whatever he wants.

I mean, I HOPE he comes back. But if he retires, good for him.

I'm not willing to vote for any of those options. The only option I would have voted for is that Bergeron should do what he chooses to do.

You are all clearly correct.

I guess when I set up the poll I was sort of assuming a few things about message boarding, which included the sense that Patrice is probably not a lurker here (but if you are, we love you!) and the sense that a 'should Bergeron keep playing' question carries a lot of implied 'what I hope for from Bergeron' in it. I also assume that if Bergeron is a lurker here (again, if you are, we love you!) he'd probably not feel too tied to our advice.

 

[SoFloSoxFan]

The question is posed as what should he do, not what would we like him to do. He should do what he and his family think is the best thing for him.

 

[SoFloSoxFan]

double post

 

[Boston Brawler]

I want him to do whatever he wants and what’s best for his family and future life.

I also want it to end differently for him.

 

[lars10]

I want him to do whatever he wants and what’s best for his family and future life.

I also want it to end differently for him.

+1

Patrice and I have the same birthday.. although he's younger. Doesn't give me any insight into what he should/would do, but I've liked having that pseudo connection with one of Boston's best.. Selfishly I want him to keep playing.. hopefully with a much better ending for him.