The Bruins are certainly keeping things interesting in late June folks. As you all know by now, Boston was involved in a trade Tuesday with Florida.
The Bruins traded fan whipping boy, Dennis Wideman, the number 15 selection in Friday's draft and a 2011 third-round pick to Florida for Nathan Horton and Greg Campbell.
Campbell will likely be Boston's fourth line center, or extra forward while Horton is expected to be the Bruins first line right wing. Horton has topped the 30 goal mark once in his NHL career, but is hoping to make it twice while playing with a top play-making center.
Now, on to today where the Boston Bruins signed a young fan favorite, Johnny Boychuk to a two-year extension. Boychuk will hold a $1.875 million annual cap hit. Boychuk asserted himself in the post-season and was rumored to be getting a possible three-year, $7 million deal from his hometown Edmonton Oilers if he waited for July 1. Boston is very happy that Boychuk decided to sign now and not test the market.
Also today, the Bruins lost assistant coach Craig Ramsey to the Atlanta Thrashers. Ramsey, 59, will be the head coach of a team that has been as active as the Bruins.
The Thrashers have added three Stanley Cup champions including Dustin Byfuglien in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks so they are trying to build a contender in the ATL.
Ramsey has almost 40 years of NHL experience and is known as a players coach. The Boston players will certainly miss Ramsey's soothing presence in the locker room.
One other side note coming out today is that Tim Thomas is willing to waive his no-trade clause given the right opportunity. Tim Thomas' agent Bill Zito has been granted permission by the Boston Bruins to seek a trade for his client according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Thoms and Zito are not actively looking for a trade, however, they are trying to gage certain teams interest.
One final note I've been passed is that Mark Recchi and Blake Wheeler have a good chance of re-signing with the Bruins. Both could sign prior to July 1, with Recchi likely to be the first of the two.
Things should be interesting tomorrow as well with the NHL draft taking place in Los Angeles. NHL sources are expecting Boston to be active and do some dealing. Also, Boston will end up with one of the drafts crowned jewels in either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin.
Are you ready for the hurricane that will be Friday Boston? Oh, and did I mention that NHL free agency opens one week from today?
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