Patrice Bergeron Tries to Bounce Back in Beantown

There is a lot to look forward to next season in the NHL, but for me, watching one of the NHL's great young players return excites me the most.

We all know about the infamous hit on October 27, 2007 by Flyers defenseman Randy Jones that left Bergeron with a broken nose and 'Grade lll' concussion, and his battle through the ensuing symptoms.

As of July, Bergeron was totally symptom-free, is back up to his 190-lb. body weight, and has returned to his vigorous six-day-a-week training sessions.

Which is not only good news for the Boston Bruins, but also for anyone who is a fan of the game.

The kid was as talented as they come before he was hurt, already amassing 189 points in just 239 NHL games played.

It remains to be seen how Bergeron will bounce back after the injury, though, as he was quoted as saying; "I shudder whenever I see a player go into the corner for a puck now."

What will happen if Patrice Bergeron is not the same player he once was?

This is sometimes the case after a serious injury is suffered. After Randy Jones only received a two-game suspension this could be an even bigger slap in the face to the Bruins if Bergeron doesn't return to his old self. 

But if Bergeron can regain the form that saw him score 31 goals and 42 assists as a 20-year old, this Boston team that finished the year 41-29-12 could be a 100-point club.

This incident may just prove the NHL needs to take a good, hard look this summer at protecting its star players. Do you think Wayne Gretzky would have taken that sort of abuse back in the 80s?

In any case, I hope we see No. 37 coming down the wing, and driving 30 or more pucks behind the opposing goaltenders next season.

Heck, I don't even like the Boston Bruins, but I'd love to see him score 50—even if it came against my beloved Rangers on April 4 next year.

I think I speak for everyone when I say it's gonna be good to have ya back Patrice. Without you, the league is like peanut butter with no jelly—and on that note, I'm going to make myself a sandwich.