INSIDE HOCKEY

Even though Patrice Bergeron just signed a five-year deal worth $27.5 million, that will pay him an average of $4.7 million a year, don’t expect him to assume the Bruins captaincy or become the face of the franchise.

The Bruins made it clear that they will express patience and won’t, as many feel they did with former captain Joe Thornton, rush Bergeron into wearing the “C”.

“There’s no intention to force the leadership role upon him,” Chiarelli said. “It comes naturally to a player and they just assume that role.”

As Chiarelli pointed out, this is a role that develops not only from the player himself but from his teammates.

“Part of assuming the role is having a strong leadership core around you and we believe we put that in place and that Patrice is part of that core,” he pointed out.

Chiarelli acknowledged that he had a discussion with Head Coach Dave Lewis about the vacant captaincy and alternate captains but that nothing would be decided until at least the end of training camp.

Executive Vice President Charlie Jacobs also touched on the subject saying that while Bergeron will be part of a marketing campaign in the coming weeks, he is not yet the “face of the franchise”, because of this new contract.

“I think it’s up for Patrice to tell us,” Jacobs said on whether the young star wants to take on a larger presence off the ice.“It’s a mistake for myself or any of you to say he is the face of the franchise today as a 22-year-old coming in. It’s unfair to him and everyone else involved, to put that pressure on him right now.”

Bergeron’s teammate, goalie Tim Thomas also believes this is the right approach to take with Bergeron or any young star.

“Look whatever Patrice is doing right now, I say don’t change a thing,” Thomas said with a smile. “He is an exceptional talent and one of the most well prepared players I’ve played with. He already shows leadership by his actions and he will grow into bigger leader as he gets older.