Boston Bruins: A look ahead to the long and sad off-season

It’s been about a week since the Boston Bruins lost to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The feelings of disappointment and agony are still fresh in fans’ minds.

Looking back on it, it’s just amazing to think about how big of a choke this was for this Bruins team. The team that set the record for most wins in a regular season. The team that set the record for most points in a regular season. They were the team that couldn’t lose! Then in the first round…outed in seven games.

So now, the off-season is upon this team a lot faster than we all thought it would be. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered over the next few months. Fasten your seatbelts fans, as we look ahead to the Boston Bruins long and sad off-season.

Boston Bruins potentially losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci

Before the 2022-2023 season started, the Bruins were fortunate enough to bring Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci back on one year contracts. Now they have to wonder what the future looks like for two important pieces in the Bruins organization.

Bergeron was playing with a herniated disc. We shouldn’t be shocked by that, considering that the longtime Bruins captain has played through many injuries in his career. But at this point, is it worth it to sign another one year contract to try to get one more Cup? After the year they just had? I don’t know if that’s worth it for him.

Then there’s David Krejci. It sounds like Krejci will either play for the Bruins or retire and there’s no in-between. The center solidifies the second line, should he return for the 2023-2024 season. But will he finally retire to spend more time with his family? Especially since he had some injuries in the first round playoff series against Florida? I don’t know that answer either.

Boston Bruins probably losing all of their rentals

The Bruins made moves for Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, and Tyler Bertuzzi. We knew they would be rentals for a Cup run. But now that the off-season is here, we have to realize they’ll probably all be gone.

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Bertuzzi earned himself a big contract on another team. Orlov could end up back with the Capitals. Hathaway is the most likely option to be retained by the Bruins. These three each made their respective contributions to this Bruins team. Just a shame we probably won’t see them all together on the Bruins again for a full season!

The bottom line with the Boston Bruins off-season

Even as this is being typed, the feeling of sadness increases as the off-season moves forward. There are a lot more questions than answers right now.

Jim Montgomery is going to have a lot to think about this off-season, second guesses and all.

Don Sweeney did his job of giving this group the talent necessary to try to win it all.

Now everyone, including the players, have to figure out how to win in the playoffs next season. Man, this stinks!