"I think it spoke volumes of both Manny and Patrice asking to take the step to want to come here," said Don Sweeney, director of hockey operations and player development. "They're eager. They're chomping at the bit."
For reasons outside their control - a careless check by Philadelphia defenseman Randy Jones Oct. 27 left Bergeron with a concussion and nearly ended his career, while Fernandez arrived in a trade from Minnesota with a rickety left knee that was never right - 2007-08 became a forgettable season for the forward and goalie. They were both placed on long-term injured reserve, but they combined for more than $9 million of idle money in a league in which salary cap flexibility is a precious commodity. They pushed hard at the end to contribute, but they weren't ready to help a club that lost in the first round to Montreal.
This year, starting with this week in Wilmington, both natives of La Belle Province (Bergeron hails from Quebec City, Fernandez from Montreal) are hoping 2008-09 will be scripted in a different fashion.
"It's obviously going to be a step-by-step kind of thing," said Fernandez, who skated with Bergeron and Providence assistant coach Rob Murray for approximately an hour yesterday. "It's been a long time. But I want to get in there. I need to get in there."
Fernandez acknowledged that he experienced some discomfort in his knee in April while he continued his recovery. But he said his knee feels good, while his back, balky for parts of 2007-08, is also fine. Fernandez has been skating three times a week in Montreal, sharing ice time with NHLers Steve Begin and Mathieu Darche.
Bergeron has been symptom-free all summer and has been working out six times a week, mimicking the workouts he has gone through during previous offseasons.
"It does feel like routine," Bergeron said. "I've been working out like this every summer since I've been playing pro. The only thing that's different is that I started a little bit earlier."
