By: Michael Rudd | Follow me on Twitter @Bosmike808.
The 2022-23 Bruins’ season could be the last hurrah for a few long-time fan favorites. Both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are back on one-year deals for what seems like a final kick at the can. While every player hopes to cement their legacy with their name on the Cup, a few will etch their names into Bruins history forever. With individual career milestones already covered, here is a look at some players moving up the franchise’s all-time top ten lists.
Games Played Top 10
The all-time leader in games played for Boston is Ray Bourque, with 1518 games played. Currently in 10th is Brad Marchand at 874 games played. Marchand sits just seven games back of Rick Middleton for 9th and 17 behind Terry O’Reilly for 8th all-time. David Krejci is also looking to pass a few names on the games played list. Currently, 7th all-time, Krejci is 61 games away from catching Zdeno Chara for 6th and 65 games from Wayne Cashman for 5th all-time. Patrice Bergeron is presently 3rd all-time with 1216 games played. That puts him only 220 games behind 2nd place held by Johhny Bucyk.
Goals Top 10
On to the all-time top 10 in goals led by Johnny Bucyk with 545 goals scored. Bergeron is the top active Bruin with 400 goals, just two back of Rick Middleton for 3rd in franchise history. Second place, however, will have to wait as Bergeron sits 59 goals behind Phil Esposito. David Pastrnak will be the newest member of this top 10, sitting just 24 goals behind Bobby Orr. After knocking Orr from the list, Pastrnak needs another 14 goals to pass Wayne Cashman for 9th. If Pasta can hit 50 goals on the season, he will pass Ken Hodge for 8th all-time.
Patrice Bergeron is also just seven power-play goals behind Cam Neely’s 129 for 4th in Bruins’ history. Marchand could join the top-10 in power-play goals needing six to tie him with Zdeno Chara at 69 in 10th. Finally, on to the short-handed goals, where once again, Bergeron is chasing a few legends. With 20 short-handed goals, Bergeron is tied with Phil Esposito and Jerry Toppazzini for 5th all-time. That trio sits just one goal back of Don Marcotte, four goals back of Derek Sanderson, and five behind Rick Middleton, who is 2nd in Bruins’ history. The short-handed goals leader is Brad Marchand, with 33 so far.
Assists and Points Top 10s
Who is the all-time leader in assists and points, you ask? Ray Bourque, surprise, with 1111 assists and 1506 points. Starting with the assists top-10, David Krejci, with 515 assists, if just one behind Wayne Cashman for 6th all-time and 38 assists behind Esposito for 5th. Also looking to move up the assist list is Bergeron. Patrice needs 42 assists to chase down Bobby Orr at 624 and 3rd in Boston history. Marchand will get an honorable mention for needing 53 assists to pass Rick Middleton for 8th all-time. Depending on his recovery, this one will be tough but not impossible.
Now we move on to the final top-10 list points. Once again, we start with David Krejci, 9th on this list, with 730 points. That is just 63 points behind 8th all-time Wayne Cashman at 793 points. If Marchand were healthy, his chase for Orr would be a fun year-long story. Currently 7th all-time, Brad sits just 93 points behind the legend in 6th. Finally, the man, the myth, the legend, Patrice Bergeron. Now, in 4th place, all-time Bergeron is only 30 points behind Phil Esposito and the top three all-time points leaders.
There you have it, the impact the 2022-23 NHL season will have on Boston Bruins history. Any surprises on where some current stars rank? Until next time stay safe out there, and let’s go, BRUINS!!
Captain Don McKenney was the Winner of the Lady Byng Trophy!! Very Smooth Centerman!