Bergeron signs one-year, $2.5 million contract with Bruins

The 37-year-old center can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance-based incentives. He was an unrestricted free agent undecided on his future since the Bruins were eliminated in seven games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round.

Bergeron has been rehabbing from surgery in June to repair a tendon in his left elbow. He was expected to need 10-12 weeks to recover, which would have him ready by the end of August.

The Bruins begin the season at the Washington Capitals on Oct. 12.

“As far as Patrice, real positive indications about his rehab and spending time with his family,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said July 11. “(He) indicated that he’ll come out in short order to make his declaration, but things are tracking along the right lines there.”

Bergeron had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 73 games last season, his 18th in the NHL since he was selected by Boston in the second round (No. 45) of the 2003 NHL Draft. He ranks third in Bruins history in games (1,216) and fourth in goals (400), assists (582), and points (982).

He has played 167 Stanley Cup Playoff games, second in team history behind Ray Bourque (161). He has 127 points (49 goals, 78 assists), won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and helped the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019. He signed an eight-year, $55 million contract ($6.875 million average annual value) July 12, 2013, and was named the 20th Bruins captain Jan. 7, 2021. He took over for Zdeno Chara after the defenseman signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent.

Jim Montgomery said the first call he made to a player after he was named Bruins coach July 1 was Bergeron.

“It was really good. It was enlightening. I felt like I was talking to a coach, not a player,” Montgomery said. “Just how he thinks about the team first, thinks about ways to get better. So, very impressive. It was a very open and honest conversation about how he’s excited about what the Bruins family can do and how I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Bergeron is a five-time winner of the Selke Trophy, most in NHL history. He passed Bob Gainey, who won it four times with the Montreal Canadiens from 1977-81, when he was voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association as the forward best to excel in the defensive aspects of the game after last season.