Bruins re-sign Bitz, sign Begin; Other noteable division signings

*The Boston Bruins have announced the signing of forward, Byron Bitz. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed. When the terms do sneak out, we will update this. Obviously, this is news so we can tell how much cap space Boston has left.

My Take: This is the first RFA of the Bruins to sign. Bitz has great up-side and if he can polish his skills he could be a dangerous forward for years to come.

*The Bruins have signed center Steve Begin to a one-year contract. The former Canadien was traded to Dallas last season. The deal is worth $850,000 for the 2009-2010 campaign.

My take: By signing Begin, GM Peter Chiarelli said that fourth-line center Stephane Yelle will not return. Begin will replace Yelle on the fourth line and serve in a penalty-killing role as well. This signing is much like the Yelle signing last season. It is an under the radar signing that could pay dividends. Begin played under Claude Julien in Montreal and said he enjoyed playing for the current Bruin boss. I will miss Yeller, but Begin is that type of player but younger. Begin said, I'm going to be on the right side now," after the former Hab is now a part of the hub of hockey.

*Mike Komisarek is no longer a Montreal Canadien. Komisarek signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for $22.5 million over five years, which is an average of $4.5 million per year.

My Take: My first thought when Komisarek left the Canadiens was, oh no. I was sure going to miss those Komisarek and Lucic throw downs. However, I was quickly revived when I found out Komisark was staying in the division. Instead of Lucic having a red and white punching bag, it will now be white and blue.

*The Montreal Canadiens signed Hal Gill to a two-year, $4.5 million contract today.

My Take: Yes, Gill the Hab, how great is this? Gill was a Bruin who caught a lot of flack for giving up odd man rushes by the bucket load. Now that he is a part of the heated rival to the north, we get to see what it will be like to blow by the mongoloid game after game. More than $2 million a season for a 34 year old Gill? I almost feel bad for Canadien fans today. Lose Komisarek, add Gill, yuck.

Bruins Buy Out Schaefer's Contract, Kessel and Thomas invited to team USA camp

USA Hockey announced today that Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and forward Phil Kessel have been invited to the Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp from August 17-19, 2009 at the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Illinois. The camp is designed to assist in the preparation of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that will compete at the XXI Olympic Winter Games to be held from Feb. 12-28, 2010, in Vancouver, B.C.

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Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli just announced a couple of hours ago that the club has bought out the last year of forward Peter Schaefer’s contract.

Following the buyout, Schaefer becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any other NHL team.

With Schaefer bought out, the Bruins will have to carry $566,667 toward their cap number in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

By my calculations Boston's current cap number is, $49,950,000. This number includes the following players.

Forwards:

Marc Savard, $5 million

Patrice Bergeron, $4.75 million

Michael Ryder, $4 million

David Krejci, $3.75 million

Marco Sturm, $3.5 million

Chuck Kobasew, $2,333,333 million

Glen Murray, $1,383,333 million (buyout)

Blake Wheeler, $875,000

Milan Lucic, $850,000

Peter Schaefer, $566,667 (buyout)

Shawn Thornton, $516,667

Defensemen:

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million

Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million

Aaron Ward, $2.5 million

Andrew Ference, $1.4 million

Mark Stuart, $1.3 million

Goalies:

Tim Thomas, $5 million

Tuukka Rask, $850,000

The 2009-2010 NHL salary cap is set at $56.8 million. At the moment, Boston is $6.85 million under the cap.

Now how does Boston fill out their roster with $6.85 million? This number may spell the end for Phil Kessel in Boston.

Habs aquire Gomez on free agency eve

The Montreal Canadiens made a deal with the New York Rangers Tuesday, taking on a whole lot of salary in the process.

The Canadiens acquired, C, Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt and defenceman Mike Busto from the New York Rangers in exchange for winger Chris Higgins and defencemen Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko.

The Habs certainly got the best player in this deal in Gomez. However, Gomez makes Zdeno Chara type money and is signed for five more seasons. Gomez may be on the decline, and paying a guy over $7 million on the decline might be a mistake. Gomez will likely be the number one center for Montreal, and may be a line mate of Alexi Kovalev if the Habs wish to retain him.

Bruins buy out Schaefer, Kessel dealing may not be dead

From Tsn.ca -- Boston has waived winger Peter Schaefer, who spent all of last season with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, scoring 26 points and putting up a plus-5 rating in 47 games. The soon-to-be 32-year-old was scheduled to make $2.1-million in 2009-2010.

My Take: Now, we all know what will happen here. Nobody is going to pick up Schaefer and his $2.1 million contract for this season. However, will Boston buy out the forgotten forward? Bruins GM, Peter Chiarelli was quoted as saying, "Maybe."

I hope Boston doesn't buy out Schaefer. If Schaefer is bought out, his number against the cap will be $700,000 this season and next. If Schaefer ends up back in Providence, he counts for nothing against the cap. Boston is already tight on the cap and can't afford that $700,000 for a nobody. Remember, they will already have a Glen Murray cap hit of $1.383,333 this season. Having over $2 million in cap hits is a tough thing to swallow.

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*The Kessel for Kaberle trade is apparently not dead. The Bruins may try to work something out with the Maple Leafs tomorrow before the free agency period will begin on July 1. There could also be a sign and trade that may occur later in the week.

*Apparently the New York Rangers were interested in acquiring Phil Kessel at the trade deadline. After the Rangers made their first round draft pick of, Chris Kreider, the Bruins offered Kessel for Kreider, their second round pick and their third round pick (eventually Ryan Bourque, son of Ray).

About 26 hours until free agents will start signing with clubs. It's going to be fun.

Kessel and number 25 to Leafs for Kaberle and number 7?

From TSN.CA--

The Boston Bruins are in pursuit of Tomas Kaberle and a top 10 pick in today's draft.

Sources tell TSN the Bruins have offered restricted free agent forward Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for the Leaf defenceman and Toronto's No. 7 pick in the draft.

The Leafs are apparently canvassing the league to see if there are any better offers out there.

Kaberle completed his 10th season with the Maple Leafs in 2008-09 and has two years left on his contract worth $4.25 million a season. While he has a no-trade clause, Kaberle's contract allows him to be dealt during a small window in the offseason that opens with the commencement of the draft tonight.





This is heating up, but is by no means anywhere near a done deal. There is only one guarantee, the next nine hours until the draft begins will be hot and heavy.

Rumors heat up on eve of NHL entry level draft

There are a lot of rumors flying around in Montreal in anticipation of tomorrow night's NHL draft and a lot have to do with your Boston Bruins.

*Marc Savard is apparently on the block according to multiple reports. Savard has one year left on his deal at $5 million but he does have a no-trade clause. In the past, Savard has said he would like to return to Canada to be closer to his family in Ontario. However, all of the teams in that area are in Boston's division in, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. However, Toronto has apparently expressed interest in Savard.

My Take: This would be a big mistake. This is Boston's leading scorer and he will be again this season. Losing Savard will not only mean losing your number one center, but a guy who makes your power play off the boards. If Boston trades Savard to create space or move up in the draft they will not be a Stanley Cup champion in 2009-2010.

*Boston has been rumored by the Star Tribune to be in talks to move Phil Kessel's rights before draft night to move up in the draft. Trading Kessel's rights will allow that team to negotiate exclusively with Kessel until the July 1, trade deadline.

My Take: Kessel is asking for a lot according to reports. Reports have said that Kessel is looking for at least $4.5 million per season. The two players that Boston apparently covets are Chris Kreider or Zack Kassian. If Peter Chiarelli thinks that the Kessel deal will not work out they should try and get what they can for him. If they can get a second round pick for Kessel, you may have to do it. In my opinion, Kessel is a 40 goal scorer, however, will he fit under the cap?

*The Toronto Maple Leafs are targeting and Bruins forward Peter Schaefer, according to the Globe and Mail.

My Take: Yes, this is interesting. Schaefer was not even an impact player in Providence last season. In my opinion he has no heart and doesn't bring it night in and out. Trade Schaefer for a fifth round pick and that's fine by me. However, he may be part of a package that may come about in the next rumor below.

*The Maple Leafs may be looking to trade veteran defenseman, Tomas Kaberle. According to a report offers have been made to Maple Leafs GM, Brian Burke for Kaberle and Boston may have submitted one of them. Toronto is looking for a player in return, as well as a draft pick.

According to Pierre LeBrun, Burke received an offer for veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle, which grabbed his attention, calling it "unexpected and unsolicited." "We have to take it seriously," added Burke, who said he immediately called four other teams to alert them to the offer.

My Take: Could it be a second round pick and Schaefer for Kaberle? This would undoubtedly be the end for one of Boston's high priced forwards like Phil Kessel or Marc Savard. I don't see this happening for the Bruins.

*One final rumor that I'm going to throw out there is that Chiarelli is looking to move up in the NHL draft and may be in talks with the Anaheim Ducks to move up to the 15th pick. Teams have been said to be looking for a roster player of mid-level salary. Boston currently hold the 25th selection in the draft.

My Take: Could this be a guy like Chuck Kobasew or Marco Sturm? This could be a good move for Boston. I like both of those players, but if this means they can re-sign Phil Kessel and draft a guy like Massachusetts, Chris Kreider than it might be a good thing for Boston.The next 24 hours should be fun. We could see a major roster move come tomorrow and we will have a lot better idea of whether Kessel will be resigned or not.



The next 24 hours should be fun. We could see a major roster move come tomorrow and we will have a lot better idea of whether Kessel will be resigned or not.

Bruins hit the jackpot in Vegas, take home major hardware

The Boston Bruins were big winners tonight in Las Vegas. Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara and Claude Julien were all the winners of their respective rewards.

Tim Thomas took home the Vezina trophy, which goes to the leagues best goalie. Zdeno Chara took home the Norris trophy, which goes to the leagues best defenseman. Claude Julien took home the Jack Adams award which goes to the NHL's top coach.

This is the cherry on top of a fantastic 2008-2009 season for the Bruins. I would like to congratulate all of these men on their accomplishments, and I know they will come back next year looking for repeat performances.

Arbitrator decides Bruins buyout of Murray was just

On the same day the NHL gave out their awards for the 2008-2009 season, the Bruins got some other news. The Bruins will not have to pay the final, $1.4 million on Murray's contract.

From the Boston Globe --

LAS VEGAS -- The Bruins didn't come here with the idea of hitting a jackpot, but they found out just after noon here that they won't have to shell out another $1.4 million to ex-right winger Glen Murray.

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli just confirmed that arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled that the Bruins were within their rights last summer to buy out the final year of Murray's deal, which was to pay the veteran goal scorer $1.45 million.

Murray argued, in the weeks following the buyout, that he was injured at the time the Bruins rendered the buyout, and thus he should have been ineligible to be bought out, per the protections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Bloch disagreed, noting in his written decision, said Chiarelli, that Murray was too late seeking a second medical opinion, a key and necessary ingredient in structuring his grievance.

''Truth is, I feel badly for Glen,'' said Chiarelli, here for tonight's NHL Award ceremonies, which could see Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara and Claude Julien leave with hardware. ''But we are just following the rules.

''Per standard buyout procedures, the final year of Murray's contrat was discounted by one-third, and the payout to be paid the balance over two seasons. The Bruins this past season paid him $1.383 million, which counted agianst the cap. They are obligated to pay him another $1.383 million in 2009-'10, which also will count against the cap. He will receive no more money after the upcoming season.

The victory, however, could limit Chiarelli's ability to sign free agents and other roster players for the upcoming season. Had Bloch ruled in Murray's favor, he would have been made whole in salary, but the Bruins would have been able to remove the $1.383 from the upcoming cap figure.
This is a mixed review for Boston. Sure, the Jacobs get to save some extra money, but it's not like they are hurting in that department. If Murray would have won the hearing and received his full salary, Boston could have removed his remaining number off of the 2009-2010 salary cap.

As we all know, Boston is going to be tight against the cap in trying to sign players like Kessel, Hunwick and Bitz. However, at least the Bruins know where they stand as they head into free agent season.