It’s Time Boston Honors Their Recent History

Photo via Getty Images

In their World Junior dedicated issue, Brian Costello penned a tremendous brief for The Hockey News magazine. Costello argued that the Hockey Hall of Fame, under unique circumstances, should forgo a bylaw instilled following Wayne Gretzky’s immediate enshrinement in 1999, stating that recent retirees aren’t Hall eligible for three years. 

While revisionist history remains undefeated, you must remember Mario Lemieux had retired two years prior due to health issues. So, Wayne, as the outlier, would get his immediate enshrinement in 1999, and Mario, by rule, would be inducted in 2000. 

But back to the present day. Costello specifically named Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin as the beneficiaries. Perhaps two of the greatest luminaries the sport has been fortunate enough to have for nearly two decades. Reinvigorating a stagnant sport post-lockout and leaving even the most ludicrous expectations in their wake. It would only make sense to see them enter hockey immortality together.

Which got me thinking. Now that the centennial celebrations have concluded, the Boston Bruins are in need of some interior decorating. It has been widely speculated that both Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron will have their numbers retired by the Bruins following their Hall of Fame inductions.

As luck would have it, Chara is a class of 2025 eligible, and I’d like to imagine we live in a world where he is a unanimous first-ballot inductee. So, by that logic, he’ll be the 13th number hoisted to the rafters during the 2025-26 season. Start saving your pennies for any home game against the Ottawa Senators or New York Islanders now.

However, this is where I’d like to see Patrice Bergeron benefit from the Costello argument. He is not bypassing his way to an early Hall of Fame induction, as he isn’t eligible until 2026, but he is joining Chara in entering Bruins immortality during the same season. 

Ray Bourque,1979-2000, is the most recent Bruin in terms of tenure to have his number retired. This means Boston has a quarter century’s worth of players worthy of being immortalized. 

This, of course, is destined to change, beginning first with Chara as early as next season. Bergeron, ideally within the same calendar year, followed in no particular order by Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, and Brad Marchand.

Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Cam Neely gets defensive over drafting.- Don Sweeney wants a coach who can evolve offensively.- Sweeney says Bruins won't play young and exciting players until they earn their stripes.- Charlie Jacobs won't roll back the ticket increase.& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins.
  2. Season 4. Episode 28. A Major Announcement
  3. Season 4. Episode 27. Losing, It's Called Bruins.
  4. Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva?
  5. Season 4. Episode 25. It's Not a Retool

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

NHL Playoff Preview: St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets with Line Combinations (04/30/2025)

St Louis Blues (2-2-0) at Winnipeg Jets (2-2-0)Venue: Canada Life CentreDate: Tonight – Wednesday, April 30thTime: 8:30 pm CST TV: CBC, Sportsnet, TVASRadio: 680 CJOB (Winnipeg) & 101 ESPN (St. Louis) DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:St. Louis Blues +1.5 ML +150Winnipeg Jets -1.5 ML -180O/U 5.5 Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster St. Louis Blues News & Notes: […]

Read More

IIHF U18 Quarterfinals Preview: USA vs Latvia

As the preliminary round of the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship wrapped up, Group B’s powerhouse, Team USA, is now slated to take on Group A’s underdog, Latvia, in a crossover Quarterfinals matchup. While the Americans have cruised through their pool with skill and structure, Latvia comes in battle-tested, hardened by lopsided defeats—and sparked by […]

Read More
NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning with Line Combinations 4/30/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning with Line Combinations 4/30/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning with Line Combinations 4/30/2025

Read More