The heights were as fun and exhilarating as anything we’ve experienced with the Bruins in their 100-year history. The depths were about as depressing as this team has treated us to over the years. Hopes were raised, only to be dashed in the most painful of fashions. One era ended and a new one began with a glimmer of hope that no matter who hangs up his skates, someone else will come along to fill them. It may not be a perfect fit, but the new guy eventually breaks them in his own way.
Here’s a look back at some key dates in a remarkable calendar year for the Boston Bruins:
Jan. 26-29 – The Bruins lose three straight to Tampa Bay, Florida (overtime) and Carolina. It would be the longest losing streak of the 2022-23 regular season. They would match it, however, in the most untimely fashion.
Feb. 23 – The Bruins obtain Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a first-round pick (2023), a second-rounder (2025) and forward Craig Smith. At the time, it looked like it was a deal that would put them over the top, providing the B’s with a rugged two-way defenseman in Orlov and a sandpaper forward in Hathaway.
March 2 – With Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno on the shelf with late-season injuries, GM Don Sweeney makes one final roster addition, adding Tyler Bertuzzi from Detroit for a 2024 first-rounder and 2025 fourth-round selection. Bertuzzi gives the B’s another top six forward for the long playoff push while Hall and Foligno would be ready for the playoffs. Can’t miss, right?
But the acquisition of Bertuzzi was not even the biggest news of the day. Sweeney announced the long-awaited contract extension for superstar David Pastrnak, making him the highest paid Bruin in their history with an eight-year, $90 million deal.
April 9 – In a 5-3 victory in Philadelphia over the Flyers, the B’s hit two momentous milestones. They break the NHL record for wins with 63 and David Pastrnak became just the second Bruin in the club’s history to hit the 60-goal plateau, the other being Hall of Famer Phil Esposito. As usual, he did it in style, notching a hat trick which also gave him 300 career goals.
April 13 – In the regular season and what would turn out to be the B’s record-setting 65th win, captain Patrice Bergeron suffers what would be termed a “lower body injury” and he would leave the game for “precautionary” reasons. It turned out that he suffered a herniated disc in his back. He missed the first four playoff games against the Florida Panthers and never regained the regular season form that earned him his record sixth Selke Award.
April 30 – The B’s suffer one of their most cataclysmic losses in their century of existence. After leading the series, 3-1, they lose three straight. Florida ties Game 7 with a minute left in regulation and the goalie pulled, then win it in OT on a Carter Verhaeghe goal. A season that held so much promise is over.
July 1 – Bruins sign Morgan Geekie, James van Riemsdyk, Milan Lucic and Kevin Shattenkirk. Up against the salary cap and anticipating significant departs, the B’s sign four established veterans, among other pieces. All but Geekie are signed to one-year deals, signaling the transitional season for 2023-24.
July 25 – Patrice Bergeron retires via social media announcement. He would meet with reporters the next day in a Legends press conference that was no-frills, by his request. He took questions from print reporters, did a handful of one-on-one sitdowns with broadcast outlets and was one of the last people to leave the room. He finished with one Stanley Cup, three Finals appearances and six Selkes. His next stop will be the Hall of Fame.
Aug. 14 – David Krejci follows Bergeron out the door. In his final game, the clutch playoff performer, who himself had dealt with injury at the end of the season, nearly pulled the Bruins through to the next round. He figured in all the B’s scoring, assisting on two goals and scoring the other. He may not have been as decorated as Bergeron, but the two centermen provided a one-two punch down the middle that made the B’s formidable for over a decade.
Sept. 20 – Bruins name Brad Marchand captain. Once considered an almost laughable proposition, the oft-suspended bad boy had not only become the best choice to replace his good friend and linemate as captain, he was the only choice.
Oct. 10 – Rookie centers John Beecher and Matt Poitras make the opening night roster. They would have the normal rookie ups and downs, but their emergence came at the exact moment it was desperately needed after the retirements of Bergeron and Krejci and the defection of Tomas Nosek.
Oct. 24 – Bruins beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 to stretch their record to 6-0, showing that the team wasn’t ready to bottom out, as some had feared.
Nov. 18 – Milan Lucic is arrested and later charged with assault and battery in a domestic incident. After being traded away from Boston in 2015, Lucic had re-signed with the B’s in the summer and his return had been a feel-good story until he suffered a lower body injury on Oct. 21. Lucic would enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. With legal proceedings pending, the future of one of the most recognizable Bruin of the past two decades is in doubt.
Dec. 23 – Bruins lose in Minnesota. It is the B’s fourth straight loss, the longest losing streak of the season. It’s another indicator that things will not come as easily for this team this season as it did last. We’ll find out in 2024 whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.