Many fans expected the Bruins to fall off this year after a historic performance last season combined with multiple key players announcing their retirement. The team lost a ton of center depth as both David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron left the league for good. Since then, many fans have been hoping that they might reconsider their decisions. <h2>Bergeron Confirms He Will Not Come Out Of Retirement</h2> Bruins reporter Shawn Hutcheon confirmed today that the last captain of the Bruins will not be returning to the NHL. <q>Retired #NHLBruins Patrice Bergeron on NHL Network, I went to the 1st game (of 2023-24 season)...Obviously. I had the itch to go back and play but that being said, I was at peace with it. I couldn't see myself going through the grind. It's demanding. It's hard on the body...</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/ShawnHutcheon/status/1726717467626717292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1726717467626717292%7Ctwgr%5E66f154ebd3e342e6737b16c3b1b7406f916ee1bf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bladeofsteel.com%2FPatrice-Bergeron-opens-up-about-whether-or-not-hed-consider-returning-to-play-one-more-year-302420'> </a></blockquote></div> Bergeron played 1294 games in his NHL career, all with the Boston Bruins. He scored 427 goals and 1040 points over his career. He won a Stanley Cup in 2011 and six Selke trophies over his illustrious career. <h2>Bruins Continue To Dominate NHL Despite Key Offseason Loses</h2> Although Bergeron and Krejci both left the team this offseason, the Bruins have continued to be one of the best teams in the NHL. They are currently 13-1-3, leading the Atlantic division with 29 points in 17 games. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CJTDevil/status/1726793953964593594'> </a></blockquote></div> The team can thank their league-best goalie tandem for a lot of their success, both last season and this one. Both goalies have proven to be capable 1a starters in the league, carrying the Bruins through this season despite their lack of center depth. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/NathanGraviteh/status/1720163988598636839'> </a></blockquote></div> As seen on <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl-team/boston-bruins/Patrice-Bergeron-opens-up-about-whether-or-not-hed-consider-returning-to-play-one-more-year' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Patrice Bergeron opens up about whether or not he'd consider returning to play one more year</a>