Throughout the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs highway to the Stanley Cup acquired simpler and the workforce didn’t actually do a factor to make that occur. Nonetheless, additional east and nearer to the Atlantic Ocean, the Boston Bruins misplaced considered one of its key gamers when Patrice Bergeron retired. For the Maple Leafs, that’s not a ho-hum type of factor.
Going again a bit into Maple Leafs’ historical past for comparability, the lack of Bergeron for the Bruins can be akin to the Maple Leafs’ lack of Darryl Sittler. They had been comparable gamers who had impacted their very own workforce and the opposition in comparable methods. On this publish, I’ll share a bit concerning the significance of the Bruins shedding Bergeron and why I consider it could be just like the Maple Leafs shedding Sittler.
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Some Gamers Are Keys to Their Groups’ Successes
Over hockey historical past, sure gamers have transcended their groups and have develop into iconic for his or her cities. Sittler was a kind of gamers for Toronto. He had distinctive expertise and management. He persistently demonstrated all-around excellence on the ice.
Those that know Maple Leafs’ historical past can think about (and a few will keep in mind) what it was like when the workforce traded Sittler to the Philadelphia Flyers in change for Wealthy Costello, future issues, and a second-round choose within the 1982 draft (which turned out to be Peter Ihnacak) in January 1982. It was a second that modified the workforce.
In the same method, the Bruins will likely be modified as a result of Bergeron retired. No participant can ever actually exchange a legend like Sittler, and the Bruins could have a troublesome time changing Bergeron. The 2 gamers had been remarkably alike of their video games.
Each Sittler and Bergeron Performed Two-Method Video games
One of many defining traits of each Sittler and Bergeron was their potential to excel in all areas of the sport. Sittler was identified for his two-way play, and Bergeron carried that custom with the Bruins. As followers know and maybe Mitch Marner (particularly) will profit, Bergeron earned a number of Selke Trophies.
That honor is introduced to the NHL’s greatest defensive ahead. The popularity speaks volumes about Bergeron’s dedication to enjoying an entire sport. Sittler was no totally different in his day.
Each Sittler and Bergeron Have been Leaders
Sittler was not only a star participant; he was a frontrunner on and off the ice. He wore the captain’s “C” for the Maple Leafs and led by instance. He was given the “C” at 24 years of age and have become the workforce’s second-youngest captain in historical past after 22-year-old Teeder Kennedy in 1948.
When Sittler’s teammate and buddy Lanny McDonald was traded to the Colorado Rockies (out of spite), he reduce the “C” off his jersey and wrote a letter he wrote to Maple Leafs’ administration resigning as captain. He was a person of character who had given up what had been “the happiest day of my life” – changing into captain of the workforce.
In a lot the identical method, though it was by no means as dramatic as Sittler’s time, Bergeron grew to become the twentieth captain for the Bruins when Zdeno Chara left the workforce in 2021. Bergeron’s management qualities had been evident in his on-ice presence, his potential to guide by instance and the respect he commanded within the locker room. Shedding him as a workforce chief may have a profound impression on a workforce’s morale and path.
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Each Sittler and Bergeron Have been Versatile Gamers
Sittler was a flexible ahead who may contribute in a large number of conditions. He killed penalties and performed on the facility play. Bergeron had that very same versatility. He performed on each the penalty kill and energy play models, and he excelled in any position.
As well as, each Sittler and Bergeron excelled within the face-off circle. Each persistently ranked among the many league’s prime faceoff winners. As gamers, they persistently helped their groups safe possession of the puck and helped keep a strategic benefit.
Each Sittler and Bergeron Have been Persistently Good Scorers
Sittler was identified for his scoring potential, and Bergeron adopted swimsuit. Each gamers scored properly over 400 targets and 1000 factors earlier than they retired. Sittler famously had a 100-point season, and Bergeron persistently contributed offensively whereas enjoying nice protection as properly.
Bergeron’s potential to offer offensive manufacturing whereas being among the best defensive gamers within the NHL will likely be sorely missed by his workforce. He’ll develop into a certain Corridor of Famer in the future quickly.
The Backside Line
In the identical method that nobody ever was capable of exchange Sittler, it is going to be powerful for the Bruins to interchange Bergeron. Shedding a participant of his caliber will undoubtedly impression the Bruins’ potential to make or go far in the course of the postseason. They nonetheless will likely be a very good workforce, however they received’t be the identical with Bergeron retired.
Bergeron will likely be missed this season – in each good methods and unhealthy. It simply is determined by the colour of your favourite workforce’s uniform.
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