Exit interview: Mark Recchi
Each day this week we'll feature one player video from the end-of-the-year breakup session the Bruins held Monday at the TD Banknorth Garden. Today's video: Mark Recchi.
A so-called late-season rental after being acquired at the NHL trading deadline in early March, veteran forward Mark Recchi wouldn't mind extending his two-decade career if the Bruins want to check him out again this winter.
The Bruins acquired Recchi in a swap with Tampa Bay that sent forward Matin Karsums and defenseman Matt Lashoff to the Lightning in exchange for the 41-year-old right wing and a second-round pick in 2010.
Recchi chipped in 16 points in 18 regular-season games with the Bruins and finished with 61 points overall (23 goals, 38 assists) for the 2008-09 season.
Despite all the bumps and bruises endured, particularly in the postseason, Recchi expressed an interest in a return to Boston.
"Yeah, I’d like to play," Recchi said when asked about another year in the NHL. "I love it here. Obviously, (the Bruins) have some decisions to make. But I really enjoyed it here. I stressed that to them. I'm at a position in my life where I can play where I want to play for a few months. I'm not going to play just to play. Boston would be a place I would want to come back to. If it doesn't work out and they don't have room, I might not play. We'l see how it goes.
"(Bruins general manager) Peter (Chiareli) has a lot of work to do. I feel for GMs these days."
Chiarelli said the Bruins will keep Recchi in mind as the team builds its 2009-10 roster.
"I can tell you what I’ve told Mark, that we’re not sure what we’re going to do yet, and we have to see how a couple things unfold," said Chiarelli. "He’s told us that he wants to come back."
You couldn't blame Recchi if he simply wanted to hang up his skates. He recounted Monday how he overcame not only a rib injury sustained in Game 4 (Recchi scored goals in Games 5 and 6), but surgery to remove a kidney stone little more than 24 hours before the season-ending Game 7 loss to the Hurricanes.
"It Just go to point where it was not going to come out, so they had to go in and get it," Recchi explained. "The night before Game 7... I went into surgery, probably about 5 p.m.; got out about 8-8:30... They loaded me up with meds and sent me on my way."
Amazingly, Recchi logged nearly 22 minutes of ice time in that Game 7 loss to the Hurricanes. The rib injury sustained in Game 4 didn't help matters.
"I was pretty sore," said Recchi. "I don’t wish it on anyone. We all play through stuff and it’s no big deal for many guys. I felt like I could still help the team and play. It happened after Game 4... I did something to my rib. When I got the X-ray it had gotten progressively worse."
His gutsy effort wasn't lost on coach Claude Julien or his teammates.
"This is where you really hope that guys pay attention to that because here he was... rolling into the trainer’s room with an IV stuck to him and was willing to play as long as they would allow him to," said Julien. "You wonder why guys like that win Stanley Cups and that’s a guy willing to do whatever it takes. This was probably the best thing that some of our guys could see, is the sacrifice that this guy was willing to make, even at this stage in his career, this point of his career. It doesn’t matter, he was willing to do whatever it took, and I know that a lot of players were probably in awe of what he did."
Even on Monday, four days after the Bruins' elimination, Recchi admitted he still didn't feel himself. But he still kept a sense of humor about the surgery, joking about kidney stones running in his family with his brother and father having endured them.
"I got a couple more kicking around in there," joked Recchi. "I hope they don't come out any time soon."
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Hearing about Recchi's kidney stone issues is amazing to me. I went through the same procedure in March, and I was on my back for days afterward. Also, there are very painful side effects that makes simply going to the bathroom excruciating. My stent was in for a week, and having it taken out was no picnic either. I've also had severe knee injuries, and the pain associated with the Kidney stones is about as bad...
To all those posting comments the last few days blasting the B's: Shut up! They had an amazing, highly entertaining season. Way to go B's, and "Thanks" for the effort!
What a class act. This is the type ofguy more people should be like. Wherever he ends up next year I wish him the best. If he can't or doesn't want to play next year doesn't Don Sweeney need an assistant?
Tolo speaks the truth. The boys played through it all and should be praised, NOT torn down.
sign him
Recchi was a great pick up and he played like a true Bruin. I hope he gets to come back.
The man stood in front of the net with Kidney Stones and took a pounding at age 41 .......even scored in games 5 and 6. Class act, he can play for my B's anytime.
A class act. There should be room for him on the 4th line and he'll play for Boston for small $s.
Play him 50-60 games, and rotate some youngsters to rest him so they get experience at the NHL level and have a healthy Recchi come 2010 POs.
A class act all the way, and, though a short-timer, the personifcation of a Bruin: Hard-working, unselfish and big-hearted.
tolo, I agree, I do wish the band-wagoners and the haters would shut up and go away. If they can't appreciate guys like this, they don't deserve to be fans.
Not just Recchi, but this team in general is a CLASS ACT and TALENTED. I can't help but see something and I think, at sounding corny or contrite "They gel". One couldn't help but notice the chemistry these men have/had, on and off the ice. I do hope the salary cap doesn't make it hard to resign these guys. I truly believe, if all come back, including Kessel and Krejci when they can; they'll just pick up where they left off. They did that season, they forced game 7 last year in the first round last season and then this season became a top seed, Chiarelli and Julien et al. need to keep this in mind.
61 points for a 4th line player is nothing to sneeze at folks. Plus think about the mentoring that he can contribute to the young guns. I have rarely seen anyone with as good a instinct in front of the net, please sign Recchi for one more campaign.
Let's see... a guy who plays with passion 24 hours after surgery, with a rib injury thrown in for good measure. A guy who could probably play for a host of different teams but wants to play in Boston. A guy who is a good influence and example for the younger players.
If Chiarelli thinks he's got a slot for this warrior, he ought to be prepping an offer sheet right now.
Preaching to the choir but, its true...ain't it funny how some people just rip this guy and all he's ever done is act like a champion? I guess most of those "fans" went over to haunt the Sox blog.
I'll echo fzappa, he can play for my B's anytime
Been watching hockey for years and Recchi is the best I have ever seen at tipping pucks in front of the net. Doesn't matter where the shot is, his eye/hand coordination can't be beat. Do the right thing and bring him back.
If they bring him back it shouldn't be on the 4th line... he is not a 4th line type of player.
if he is back - and Bergy is back - put that line back together again next year.
they will put up some points!!
Sign this guy... he's a Stanley Cup magnet. Bring him back one full year to mentor the forwards. Even if he only produces half of what he did this season. It would be money well spent. Like to see him retire a Bruin, hopefully lifting another cup. He's the real deal.
Much as I like Yelle, and classy and dependable as he is. I'd rather have Recchi and PJ back, and groom Bitz, Sobotka, and some of the other young studs in the 3rd and 4th line center slots, and with Krejci likely not back until November, we need at least one of Yell & PJ resigned if we're gonna have a PK worth a damn.
I would really like to see 60 games of Recchi and Bergeron. They started to gel late. Given more time I think they would be a scary second line or third line. If healthy, the 2010 Bruins could make a run at the 11 20 goal scorers of the Bruins of the 70s.
Wow ! he went hard on every shift. ON GAME 5 WHEN AFTER THE WALKER INCIDENT RECCHI WENT TO THE BENCH AND ASKED THE TRAINERS TO REMOVE HIS VISOR IN CASE HE HAD TO FIGHT SOMEONE.
What really gets me is how he wants to be back as a Bruin.
Thank you Recchi !
Recchi is A HOCKEY PLAYER'S HOCKEY PLAYER.
You can not overstate the value of a guy like this on your team. PLUS he'll give you 18-20 goals.
BRING BACK RECCHI. When he runs out of gas--put him on the Coaching Staff!!
Mark, these fans here love ya..
This guy was one of the few leaders on the team come playoff time...which doesn't say alot for the rest of the team since he was a late arrival. I wouldn't bother signing him. He will be available next March if he doesn't retire like he always is
Sign him now! Leadership, heart and grit.....all the qualities great Bruins in the past and future have. Keep tipping those goals in and showing the young guys how it's done. Nice to scream loud and proud at games. Thanks Bruins, GM and Coach Julien.
Recchi is a great player with a lot of heart. I wish the Flyers still had him. Was rooting for you guys after Philly was eliminated. Hate Pittsburgh.
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