Bruins Wrap-Up Day Notes: Injuries and Departures
While the bitter taste of the Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Chicago Blackhawks still remains with the Bruins organization, it is time to prepare for the offseason. There were numerous injuries leading up to the end of the season and the Bruins will have their hands full with deals to make in the coming months, so let’s break down what has been going on in the past week.
Patrice Bergeron was the big story in the Stanley Cup Finals once the details of his extensive injuries were revealed to fans. Bergeron played through Game 6 with a a broken rib, torn cartilage, and a separated shoulder. Some reports also say that after an examination Bergeron was found with a small hole in his lung during the playoffs, making him very fortunate to be as stable as he is. Bergeron has been hospitalized since the game for observation, and the hope is that can make a speedy recovery and be ready for the next season.
What is even more amazing about Bergeron though is that when it came to talking about the pain after Game 6, his main concern was the loss not his own personal health.
“There’s not many words that can be said right now,” Bergeron said. “It’s definitely tough to lose, especially at this time, after everything we’ve been through. You work so hard just to get to this point and give yourself a chance to get the Cup. And you feel like you’re right there, and you have a chance to force Game 7. Definitely it hurts.”
The Bruins also have some big decisions to make when it comes to signing players. The Bruins had a very talented team going into this past season, and maintaining that core group will be key to a successful season next year. Nathan Horton showed his endurance and toughness by playing with a shoulder injury and goes into this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. He may not get the deal he is looking for with Boston though, as the Bruins won’t be breaking the bank to keep him and don’t have a lot of cap space to re-sign him. Still he has been a key part of their roster and big part of their success.
Andrew Ference is the only other unrestricted free agent, although his chances of staying in Boston are slimmer than Horton’s. Ference admitted to the media Wednesday that he probably won’t be able to return as a Bruin next season and hinted at his departure on Twitter as well:
I’ve read every message.Thank you doesn’t seem sufficient.This team, fans and city are incredible. It’s been an honor to become a Bostonian.
— Andrew Ference (@Ferknuckle) June 26, 2013
One guy who definitely won’t be returning is Jaromir Jagr. He also apparently played through a few injuries according to the same report as well. It certainly will be interesting to see what Jagr decides to do. Given his skill set and experience there are plenty of teams that will be willing to take him on, but he may also decide it is finally time to retire.
