Name: Patrice Bergeron
Position: Center
Age: 24
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 194
Shoots: Right
Status: $4.75M though 2010-11 season

Line combinations:

Regular season, EV: 41.27% w/Marco Sturm and Mark Recchi
Regular season, PK: 36.04% w/Sturm
Regular season, PP: 17.64% w/David Krejci, Blake Wheeler, Recchi
Playoffs, EV: 37.66% w/Daniel Paille and Recchi
Playoffs, PK: 47.2% w/Recchi
Playoffs, PP: 49.32% w/Recchi and Krejci

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The Good: Despite playing in 73 games this season, Bergeron was the team leader in points during the regular season, and was also second in scoring throughout the postseason. The quintessential three-zone-player was continuously matched up against teams’ top-lines all season long, during the playoffs, and was the Bruins best penalty killer night-in, night-out.

Along with season-long linemate Mark Recchi, No. 37 was arguably the best player to suit-up in Black-and-Gold this past season, as the alternate captain led the team by example — hard work, full effort, leader on and off the ice — and lead all forward in average time on ice (TOI), during both the regular (19:42) and post-season (20:22). Also, his team-high of plus-4 rating in the postseason was indicative of his stellar two-way play throughout the season. The 24-year-old was amongst the NHL’s best face-off winners; taking 58-percent during the regular season (top-5) and 57.9-percent in the playoffs (T-4th).

The Bad: Just one shot on goal in Games 6 & 7 of the Conference Semifinals, and zero points and four shots on net in Games 5 through 7. But it’s tough to knock one of your best players; especially when he was one of the few to show up every night to play.

Final Grade:

Only a broken thumb, sustained on Jan. 4 from a Dennis Wideman slap shot , and a minor groin tweak kept Bergeron from playing in more than 73 games this season. Watching Bergeron return to form — and playing better than he has in years — after his prior concussion issues was definitely a highlight for me this season. Bergeron is entering the final season of his contract, and to say he must be re-signed is an understatement. The 24-year-old should be in Boston for years to come…with the “C” etched on his chest, too.

Next Bruins report card: No. 40 Tuukka Rask