Kent Hughes along with the rest of the Montreal Canadiens brass have sort of flip-flopped when it comes to their plans for free agency. While at first Hughes was adamant that the Canadiens would be after big names in free agency, he recently retracted that statement as the team now faces financial woes, notably with the LTIR statuses of Shea Weber and most likely Carey Price. One of the persistent rumors linked the Canadiens to current Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron.
Along with the likes of Kristopher Letang, Kent Hughes was Bergeron’s agent when the now General Manager was a player agent. The rumors faded near the end of the season but recently, it seems that the fire in the gossip column has lit again.
The Bruins fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in one of five series that went the full seven games. Immediately after the final horn, speculation about Bergeron’s future was up in the air with some players even questioning whether the four time Selke Trophy winner will return.
Patrice Bergeron gives the entire roster hugs as they make their way off the ice. pic.twitter.com/dN6qOwSP11
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 14, 2022
Before Game 7, former eight time 30 goal scorer Tony Amonte stated on NBC Sports Boston that he heard rumblings about Bergeron possibly heading to Montreal.
"Montreal Canadiens... it's just a little talk going on behind the scenes."
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) May 13, 2022
Tony Amonte shares some insider information on Patrice Bergeron's future pic.twitter.com/hbaC7h7CqM
While he says that it “makes sense”, most likely due to Bergeron’s relationship with Kent Hughes, it doesn’t make sense given where the Canadiens stand.
The Canadiens are going to ride heavily on Nick Suzuki and Christian Dvorak down the middle, with likely first overall Shane Wright getting some reps along with Jake Evans, Ryan Poehling and possibly Laurent Dauphin should he return.
The other factors are age, Bergeron will be turning 37 this July, as well as finances. The Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec native has completed the last of his annual $6.875 million contract and the veteran just completed another fantastic season offensively, finishing with 25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points in 73 games.
If he’s hitting free agency, he ain’t coming cheap.
While Bergeron might not exactly be in the same mold as “stars who signed with the Canadiens too late in their career” such as Daniel Briere or Donald Audette, because he would indeed be a solid addition to any team, why would a team that just finished last in the NHL and is rebuilding sign an expensive 37 year old centerman? Even if he is a sure bet to be in the Hall of Fame, again, it just doesn’t make any sense.
On top of that, the lifelong Bruins would not only join one of Boston’s biggest rivals, which would be unforgivable for fans, but he would be joining the team he grew up hating as he grew up a Quebec Nordiques fan.
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