(Photo credit: Brian Babineau / NHLI via Getty Images)

By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18

Thirteen players have had their jersey number retired by the Boston Bruins. This past January, former captain and 2011 Stanley Cup champion Zdeno Chara was the most recent Bruin to have his number retired. On Dec. 1, Patrice Bergeron will be next to have the honor when the Bruins retire his number 37.

The Bruins have had plenty of former players cement their legacy with the organization. Now, the thought of who could be next for the Bruins to have their number retired brings four potential players to mind. Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman could all be options in the future when they all retire. However, this is based on players who are currently retired.

Wayne Cashman’s Number 12

Cashman spent his entire 17 years in the National Hockey League playing for the Bruins. In the 1970-71 season, Cashman broke through when he recorded 79 points and a career-high +59 rating. Cashman became an underrated player on the Bruins’ roster during the 1970s, helping the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972. Cashman served as Bruins captain from 1977 to 1983.

Cashman’s 277 goals are the tenth-most in Bruins history, his 516 assists are the eighth-most in team history, and his 793 points are the ninth-most in team history. Cashman also played 1,027 games as a Bruin and is only one of eight players in franchise history to have played 1,000 games with the team.

David Krejci’s Number 46

Like Chara and Bergeron, Krejci was part of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup team, and spent his entire career in Boston as Cashman did. Krejci spent 16 seasons wearing a Bruins sweater. During his Bruins tenure, Krejci was always a pivotal part of the team’s roster, especially when he led the NHL with 12 goals and 23 points in the 2011 playoffs. Krejci’s 17 assists and 26 points each led the NHL during the 2013 playoffs as well, and his nine goals were tied for first on the Bruins’ roster with Bergeron.

Krejci’s 786 points are the tenth-most in Bruins history, his 555 assists are the fifth-most in team history, and his 1,032 games played are the sixth-most in team history. Along with being part of the 2011 Stanley Cup roster, Krejci was part of the Bruins’ 2013 and 2019 Eastern Conference championship teams. Krejci was also part of the Bruins’ 2014, 2020, and 2023 Presidents’ Trophy teams.

Tim Thomas’ Number 30

When you think of goaltending legends in Bruins history, Thomas is immediately thought of. Although he played nine seasons in the NHL, Thomas became a Bruins legend during his eight seasons with the team. Thomas’ 196 wins are the fifth-most in Bruins history, but his status in Boston remains a historic one. Thomas won the Vezina Trophy in 2009 and 2011. In those same two years, Thomas had a GAA under 2.10 and a save percentage above .930. Thomas also won the Jennings Trophy in 2009.

Thomas won 16 games and had an incredible .940 save percentage and 1.98 GAA during the 2011 playoffs, setting a new playoff record with 798 saves. Thomas capped off 2011 by shutting out the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for his incredible playoff year. Thomas made incredible saves throughout the entire playoff year.

Tuukka Rask’s Number 40

Thomas played his final year in Boston in 2012. After Thomas left, Rask faced tremendous pressure to be the Bruins’ top goaltender. Safe to say, Rask lived up to all the pressure. Rask’s 308 wins, 14,345 saves, 32,402 minutes, and 564 games played all rank first in Bruins history among goaltenders, and his 52 shutouts are the second-most in team history. Rask played his entire 15-year career with the Bruins and is the only goaltender in team history to have won 300 games.

While he didn’t play in the 2011 playoffs, Rask was still part of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship as Thomas’ backup. In his first season as the full-time starter, Rask guided the Bruins to the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, and he did so again in 2019. In 2014, Rask won the Vezina Trophy. In 2017, Rask was named an All-Star. In 2020, Rask won the Jennings Trophy. Rask was easily one of the best goaltenders throughout the 2010s.