‘Sheriff Shane’ will be on patrol elsewhere

Hnidy

Defenseman Shane Hnidy has left the Boston Bruins as an unrestricted free agent today to sign with the Minnesota Wild, according to Russo’s Rants.

Hnidy, who was acquired by the Bruins Jan. 2, 2008 from Anaheim, signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Wild. In 108 games in black and gold, he put up 4-13-17 totals and a plus-2 rating. Hnidy’s departure betters the chance that recently re-signed blueliner Johnny Boychuk has to make the NHL roster as a sixth or seventh defenseman.