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Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron is the player of the decade

By jc

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 29: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) eyes the opposition during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres on December 29, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 29: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) eyes the opposition during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Buffalo Sabres on December 29, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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patrice bergeron selke
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 21: Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins poses for a portrait with the Frank J. Selke Trophy at the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Bergeron emerged as the best defensive forward of all time

Before the decade, Bergeron established himself as a quality two-way forward who could handle defensive responsibilities. However, during the decade, he emerged as the best defensive forward of all time. And he has the hardware to prove it.

Bergeron won four Selke trophies this decade. That means in four out of 10 years the NHL named him as the best defensive forward. Only Bob Gainey has that many Selke trophies as Bergeron.

Even without the accolades, the “eye-ball test” alone is enough to show Bergeron’s defensive capabilities. Since the 2009-2010 season, Bergeron consistently draws the toughest matchups on a nightly basis. We all saw him go up against opposing stars and come out on top.

With these tough matchups, Bergeron never finished a season as a minus player. Of course plus/minus isn’t a perfect stat, but in Bergeron’s case, it demonstrates how he usually wins head-to-head against the opposition.

The advanced statistics tell a similar story. Bergeron finished with a CF% above 50% every year since 2010. He also had a positive CF% rel each season. What this means is that when Bergeron was on the ice, the Bruins always had more shots on goal than the opposition.

Again, CF% isn’t perfect, but we sometimes need to use stats to quantify a player’s performance. With Bergeron, the stats clearly show that he’s an elite all-around forward.

Combine these statistics with Bergeron’s Selke trophies, and you get the best defensive forward of all time.

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