The last 48 hours have been full of Bruins news, most of it not particularly good. Tuukka Rask retired, Patrice Bergeron suffered a head injury Tuesday night, and Brad Marchand got suspended six games for attacking Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry.
Meeting with the media on Thursday, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney weighed in on all three topics, as well as speculation about a David Krejci return after Krejci himself recently left the door open.
On Bergeron, Sweeney said he has a laceration on the back of his head and that they’re still taking things day by day at this point. Bergeron has not been on the ice the last two days and will miss at least Thursday’s game against Carolina. Sweeney did not say if Bergeron has a concussion.
Here is what he said on the other three topics:
On Rask’s retirement: “First and foremost, Tuukka should be congratulated for all his accomplishments as a Boston Bruin. We’re extremely proud of everything that he’s contributed to the organization, right down to the very end in how he handled his exit. It was on his terms, in terms of how he wanted to lay it out. Took some time to really evaluate that and do things the way he wanted to and stay true to what was important for Tuukka.
“But there’s been some tough conversations, especially given that I knew the road all along and the commitment he’s made to get back to giving himself an opportunity to play again at the level he expected to return to. When it didn’t meet those things, he started to realize that the body wasn’t going to hold up, and he made a very difficult decision.”
Sweeney was asked if he thinks a rehab stint in Providence would have changed anything.
“Probably the end result would’ve been the same, given his body’s response to game activity,” he said. “He did an awful lot of work from a conditioning standpoint. He goes in, he’s able to play four games, and obviously not having the benefit of a training camp, not having the benefit of a start of the season -- some of those things may [help], but I think the end result’s going to be the same. The hip and his back just started to give him some concerns on a daily basis, not just when it was game time.”
Sweeney was also asked how he’ll remember Rask.
“Boy, there’s an awful lot there for me to unpack,” he said. “When we brought him on board, I was part of the exercise to go over to Finland and meet him for the first time. His development in Providence, I was there when he threw milk crates out on the ice. And turn into just an unflappable goalie that, I think all his teammates acknowledge that you had a chance to win with him every night. I think from a goaltending standpoint, that’s all you can ever ask for, for a guy to go out and give you a chance to win. That’s a guy you want to play in front of. I mean, he owns records. He’s got a long history. He deserves all the accolades.”
On Marchand’s suspension and whether he’s talked to him: “I have, at length. … Brad is remorseful. Feels he’s letting his team as well as himself down. Didn’t shun the fact that he was immature in what his decision was, and allowing his emotions to control himself in that situation. He can’t unwind it at this point in time. The damage has been done. We have to move forward. Hopefully he can.”
On Krejci: “I haven’t, since the first of the year, had any discussions with David in terms of what his plans were. He made an indication around the holidays as to what he was staying, and doing. I haven’t had any contact with him since. I know he’s been asked questions, so he’s answered them. With that regard, if the opportunity presents itself, I’m sure there would be several teams that would have the same conversation we would. But I haven’t had any.”
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