Patrice Bergeron has officially retired from the NHL after spending 19 season with the Boston Bruins. On Tuesday’s Felger and Mazz, the guys discussed Bergeron’s retirement and where he ranks as an all-time Boston Bruin.
Is Bergeron an all-time Bruin?
Felger: So we begin with the Patrice Bergeron conversation. A lot of topics, a lot of jumping off points, I’ll start with this…is Patrice Bergeron an all time Bruins player?
Mazz: Yes.
Jim Murray: Yes.
Felger: Of course. Go ahead.
Jim Murray: Without question I think he’s an all time Bruins great. He’s synonymous with this team over the last couple of decades. Wish there was another cup there but they had some cup runs – plural – that’s good. A little bit underachieving in terms of that they should have had another. But overall, yes all time Bruins great.
Mazz: I mean in a lot of ways he was like the consummate representative of what they want in the uniform. A guy who played both ends, he wasn’t a fighter, but plays both ends of the ice, showed up every night, and was remarkably consistent. A lunch pail type of guy that had some grit. He wasn’t an elite talent is what I would say. But he was a hard working, really good player.
Felger: All time Bruins player. Of course, yes. And you know how I feel about the numbers in the rafters, I think there’s just should only be a few up there. His should be one of them. I’d put his number up there. In terms of the franchise….all time great. One of the greatest to ever walk through that building. Somewhere between three and five all time. Orr, Bourque, and now we can talk. He’s somewhere in 3 to 5 with Esposito, if you want to put Neely up there. I’m not going to go back to Milt Schmidt and all of that. You have to do that in your own time. I think he and Chara belong up there. And so all time Bruins player. You bet. And I put Bergeron on on top of Chara. He was here longer and did it longer.
