Boston Bruins: Which numbers should be retired next?

The Boston Bruins rafters may be a little crowded, but they should find a way to retire these numbers one day to honor a few NHL legends.

The Boston Bruins have honored quite a few players with jersey number retirements. Now, they should look to add a few more.

I understand that you can’t retire too many numbers, but these guys deserve it. While the Bruins could retire two of these numbers now, the others are still active players. I fully expect to see those active player number retirements when they choose to call it a career.

Let’s get right into it, with a player who has somehow been overlooked in Boston Bruins history.

#12 Wayne Cashman

Wayne Cashman spent his entire 17 year NHL career with the Boston Bruins from 1965 to 1983. He appeared in 1,027 games in the black and gold with 793 points. Cashman helped the Big Bad Bruins win the Stanley Cup both in 1970 and 1972 alongside Bobby Orr and Terry O’Reilly. While Orr and O’Reilly have their numbers retired, somehow Cashman is forgotten.

This lifelong Bruins player deserves his own spot in the TD Garden rafters.

#30 Gerry Cheevers/Tim Thomas

Somehow, the Boston Bruins organization should look to honor two legends that shared the same number. They could have two banners made up, or find a creative way to add both names to one.

Gerry Cheevers spent 12 seasons with the Bruins, from 1965-1972 and 1975-1980. Over those two separate spans, Cheevers went 229-101-74 with a 2.89 goals against average. Like Wayne Cashman, he was a key part of the Bruins success in the 1970’s with Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972.

Tim Thomas was excellent in net for Boston, and he was super human in their run to the 2011 Stanley Cup. From 2005 to 2012 you could be certain that Thomas would produce. He had a 2.48 goals against average and .92a save percentage while with the Bruins. Thomas won two Vezina Trophies and one Conn Smythe Trophy with Boston.

#33 Zdeno Chara

Still active, Zdeno Chara is coming to the end of his career. He’s heading into his 12th season with the Bruins, and he’s their top leader. With Boston, he’s a five time all star and he’s won a Norris Trophy and Stanley Cup as well.

Chara has 429 career points for the Bruins, and in 2017 he’ll add even more. His defense is second to none, although his age is slowing him down a bit. The tallest player in the NHL should one day find his #33 in the TD Garden rafters.

#37 Patrice Bergeron

Another current Bruins player belongs in the rafters. Patrice Bergeron is one of the best two-way players in the NHL today, and Boston fans love his heart and hustle. Bergeron has spent his entire NHL career with the Bruins, and he’ll likely finish it that way.

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Four Selke Trophies and a Stanley Cup championship have helped to cement Bergeron’s legacy in Boston. If it weren’t for Chara, he’d be wearing the C on his chest. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins decided to raise #33 and #37 to the rafters together one day in an incredible ceremony.

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