If this was the end for Patrice Bergeron, it was quite the career.

It most certainly was not the ending Bergeron, or anyone invested in the Boston Bruins, hoped for in 2022-23. Not even close. But it was obvious after the Panthers took Game 7 in overtime that the Bruins were treating the aftermath as if they’d be greeting Bergeron for the final time while sharing a spoked ‘B’ sweater. Just in case.

And as you’d expect, the scene produced some emotional images.

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins waves to fans before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins hugs Brad Marchand #63 before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins shakes hands with Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers after the Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins exits the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Bergeron and the Bruins also got healthy applause from the fans that stayed in their seats for the handshake line and hugs. They did, at least, deliver a must-watch season from start to finish, which is more than what most franchises can say about themselves. Bergeron also saluted the fans before leaving the ice. And if he ultimately decides to retire in 2023, then for No. 37, it becomes less about lamenting the end than appreciating the whole of an all-time Bruin.

  “He’s just a world-class leader and person, and I think with the season we had he wanted to give another thanks,” Brad Marchand said after the game. “And given the situation, it shows his character.”

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  Apr 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) gets ready for a face-off during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

• Not surprisingly, Bergeron’s character away from the hockey rink, and its impact on teammates, became a theme.

  “He’s like the perfect person on or off the ice, he’s just such an incredible leader and so driven, an incredible family man, great father, great friend, always thinking of everybody else first,” Marchand said. “That rubbed off on me a lot, quite a bit. It really changed the way that I approached my day-to-day life and the way I approached the game and I’ll never be able to say enough great things about him. He allowed me to be in this position, play alongside him for a long time, and he’s an incredible person and friend, and incredible teammate and we’ve been lucky to have him as part of this group for a long time.

  “He completely changed the way I live my day-to-day life, I try to be like him and try to follow in his footsteps, try to lead the way he did and lived his life, as good of a pro as the way he approaches everything. I’ll forever be grateful for him.”

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins waves to fans before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• “He’s one of the best humans I’ve ever met, one of the best leaders I’ve ever met, and I would do anything for that guy, because I know he’d do the same for me, and he’d do the same for a stranger in the street,” said Jeremy Swayman. When you have that feeling for a human being, you want to do whatever you can to make him happy, and I know that he has brought so much happiness to our team, our lives, our families, and I couldn’t be more lucky to have been a part of a team with him as our captain.”

  It can’t go unnoticed that fellow Bruins veteran David Krejci feels even more likely to retire. A Bruin for the entirety of his 16-year career, Krejci had a massive impact on his fellow countryman, David Pastrnak, along with Bergeron.

  “I can’t say enough,” Pastrnak said. “Bergy – I’ve never seen such a leader leading on and off the ice ever. I can’t thank him enough for everything. And Krech is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had the chance, so it’s been a pleasure. One of my best friends, and I am really thankful for that.”

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins reacts after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Sharpening the focus on just this series, Bergeron and Krejci are not without criticism. Krejci got off to a slow start in the series and didn’t break out until the final stanza. Bergeron, meanwhile, will draw scrutiny for playing and getting hurt in the regular season finale in Montreal, and he ended up with just one power play goal and a minus-6 rating in the final three games of the series. It’s not out of line to suggest that the Bruins’ collapse had something to do with Bergeron and Krejci both being forced back into the lineup.

  But within those bittersweet moments after the game, it was time to prioritize paying respects to a pair of Bruins icons, because they would’ve regretted it if they skipped that whole thing. We have a lifetime to hammer these record-setting Bruins for fizzling out in spectacularly disappointing fashion in the playoffs.

  For at least a day, it’s OK for the Bruins and the fans to show appreciation for Bergeron and everything he’s brought to the city. If this was the end, then, considering the circumstances, he got the send-off he deserved.

• Click here for complete Boston Bruins coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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