Bergeron will have a «carte blanche» for the duration of his next contract
Following the upcoming season, Boston Bruins Quebec forward Patrice Bergeron will conclude an eight-year deal worth a total of $52 million that he signed in July 2013. According to Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney, it would be surprising if the current Bruins captain left the organization. He will even be able to decide the length of his next contract...
"Patrice, Kent Hughes, his agent, and I have had discussions about Patrice's future. We will not disclose publicly what those conversations are about, as we do with others, and we will let him choose the path he wants to take. Obviously, the door is wide open for Patrice and it's up to him to see how long he wants to continue his career with us." - Don Sweeney
This situation is very similar to what we recently experienced with Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin was able to pick almost any contract he wanted in order to remain a Capital. The second round pick (45th overall) of the 2003 auction will receive a privilege that few athletes can have, to finish his career, at the time he chooses, with the team that drafted him.
The Quebecer will be 37 years old at the end of the current campaign and his age does not seem to worry the organization as he is still as dominant as ever. Last season, he had 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in 54 games and nine points in 11 playoff games.
Bergeron was also one of the finalists for the Selke Trophy, for the tenth time in his career, awarded annually to the NHL's best defensive forward. He has won the award on four occasions.
