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Lucic reveals what'll happen during his first game back as a Bruin

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Austin Sabourin
July 12, 2023 (10:59 PM)

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During the chaotic NHL Free Agency period on July 1, Milan Lucic found himself in high demand, with multiple teams vying for his services. Surprisingly, it was the Boston Bruins who emerged triumphant in their pursuit of the 35-year-old veteran. In an engaging and revealing interview on the podcast "Dropping the Gloves" hosted by former NHL player John Scott, Lucic delved into the reasoning behind his decision to return to Boston and once again don the iconic Spoked-B jersey on opening night.

Before the free agency frenzy began, Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy graciously granted Lucic permission to explore his options, allowing the seasoned 16-year veteran to field calls from an impressive array of teams, estimated to be between 10 to 15 in number. Lucic candidly disclosed to Scott, "While there was significant interest from other teams, ultimately, I followed my heart and made the decision to return to where it all began. I longed to be a Boston Bruin once more."

Among the first suitors to reach out to Lucic were the Chicago Blackhawks, who coincidentally will be the Bruins' opening night opponent on October 11�an occasion that the bruising winger eagerly anticipates. With a touch of emotion in his voice, Lucic admitted,

"It's undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated games of my entire career. To be honest, it may even bring a tear to my eye. That's how much I'm looking forward to it."

Some might find it surprising that Lucic, known for his physicality and willingness to drop the gloves, would get emotional about a game. However, he passionately explained,

"It's Boston. It's the fans. It's the Garden. It's the Original Six. Donning the Bruins jersey once again, representing the team�it means the world to me. It's a significant part of who I am, and I've missed it tremendously. I genuinely believe it will stir up a tidal wave of emotions within me."

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Lucic attributed his participation in the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships, held in Finland and Latvia from May 12 to 28, as a pivotal factor in attracting the attention of numerous teams during free agency. Reflecting on his conversations with interested teams, Lucic shared,

"Many of the teams I spoke with mentioned that they could still see my passion for the game. They saw it in my face, in my eyes. They witnessed the joy I derived from playing. They recognized that the fire within me still burned brightly, and that's what piqued their interest in having me join their ranks."

Furthermore, Lucic regarded his participation in the tournament as a contributing factor in securing another NHL contract. It solidified his decision to return to his NHL home, where he spent the first eight years of his illustrious career.

Despite the Boston Bruins' somewhat disappointing premature exit from the playoffs last year, Lucic urges fans not to fret, drawing upon past experiences of the franchise. With an optimistic tone, he reflected,

"It's interesting to note that the 2011 team wasn't even the best one during my eight-year tenure here. In 2009, we were exceptional, yet lost to Carolina. Likewise, in 2014, we fell to Montreal. Both those teams were superior to the 2011 squad, but we possessed a solid core, a foundation to build upon. After the infamous collapse in 2010, we emerged victorious in 2011. So who's to say history won't repeat itself after the setback in 2023?"

In conclusion, Milan Lucic's return to the Boston Bruins amidst the NHL Free Agency frenzy has stirred excitement among fans and players alike. With his passionate commitment to the team and the city, Lucic's decision to come back to Boston is a testament to the profound connection he feels with the organization. As the upcoming season approaches, all eyes will be on Lucic as he steps onto the ice, ready to bring his physicality, experience, and unwavering dedication to the Bruins' quest for success.

As seen on: nesn

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12 JUILLET \| 265 ANSWERS Lucic reveals what'll happen during his first game back as a Bruin Did Milan Lucic make the right decision by returning to the Boston Bruins?
Yes	243	91.7 %
No	22	8.3 %
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