Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron shoots down talk about him joining Canadiens

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It looks like Canadian fans can forget about the possibility of Patrice Bergeron joining the team for next season.

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The Boston Bruins captain can become an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing an eight-year, US$55-million contract with a salary-cap hit of $6.875 million. Before becoming general manager of the Canadiens last January, Kent Hughes had been Bergeron’s longtime agent, leading to speculation the native of L’Ancienne Lorette might be interested in finishing his career in Montreal.

When asked Monday by reporters in Boston if he can see himself playing somewhere else besides Boston next season, Bergeron said: “No. I’ve been here for my entire career. Obviously, (Boston) is a special place for me. It’s not on my mind right now. I just need to take time and regroup.”

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Bergeron, who will turn 37 on July 24, has played his entire 18-year NHL career with Boston after the Bruins selected him in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. The Canadiens selected Andrei Kostitsyn in the first round of that year’s draft (10th overall) and Cory Urquhart in the second round (40th overall). The Nashville Predators drafted Shea Weber with the 49th overall pick that year.

Bergeron had 25-40-65 totals in 73 regular-season games this year and added 3-4-7 totals in seven playoff games as the Bruins were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. Bergeron has been captain of the Bruins since replacing Zdeno Chara last year and in 1,216 career regular-season games he has 400-582-982 totals.

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When asked what his thought process will be while deciding whether to continue playing next season, Bergeron said: “I don’t know, to be honest with you. I think it’s just more time, I guess. Right now it’s only been a couple of days (since the playoff elimination). All I did was really enjoy the family at home. I’m going to need some time to think about a lot of things and come up with the best decision for myself and my family.”

Bergeron and his wife, Stephanie, have three young children.

Bergeron said he hadn’t spoken with anyone in Boston management since the Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs with a 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 7 on Saturday, but his understanding is that there’s a place for him on the Bruins if he wants to keep playing.

According to CapFriendly.comBergeron has earned more than US$93 million during his NHL career.

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