In discussing tomorrow’s start of the free-agent “frenzy” today during a conference call, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli’s favorite word was “wary.”
He used it in terms of his own unrestricted free agents — Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder — and in terms of players that are available from other teams.
Chiraelli made it clear he won’t be part of the early flurry when the market opens at noon EST Friday, and he understands the risk of losing a Kaberle or a Ryder off his Stanley Cup championship squad. But it’s a risk he’s willing to take.
“I said to those guys go out there and see what’s going on and let’s continue to talk,” explained Chiarelli, who stressed with a little more enthusiasm than in recent weeks that he has not severed ties with Kaberle or Ryder.
One guy who’s not going to be back with the Bruins is defenseman Shane Hnidy, who signed with the team in February and was basically just along for the ride. Hnidy, who appeared in just six games, will be a “good addition” for another club, said Chiarelli.
Mark Recchi, who so far has stuck to his decision to retire, will also not be back. But Chiarelli said he’s not in a rush to replace either veteran. He’s confident that he’ll be able to do that down the road from outside or within, and he can also make up for the loss of Ryder or Kaberle if it comes to that.
Two things are keeping Chiarelli from loosening his purse strings right off the bat — the lack of star power in this free-agent class, and the fact that teams below the cap floor need to spend and might knock the market out of whack.
Chiarelli is also looking down the road to the possibility that the next collective bargaining agreement (this is the last year of the current CBA) will bring a lower salary cap maximum and the fact that players like David Krejci and Tuukka Rask will be looking at free agency in the near future.
“It certainly impacts us. I’m a little wary of the market,” said the GM. “The cap is high, and the cap is certainly going to come down in some shape or form. So one, generally speaking, I’m wary of the market, where it might be going. Two, and a close two, is that we do have guys we want to re-sign and they’re going to command raises. I’m really not in a position to go out and give a guy a big-term contract. I think we can find that help elsewhere other than those big-term contracts and still be in a good position to re-sign our guys as they come up the next year or two.”
Rich, might it be the same guy that wanted Drury?
I say screw it, offer sheet Stamkos @ 8.5 mil and give up the draft picks. Then let the prospects battle it out for the last spot. So much money is goingto be freed up after next year surely Chiarelli can figure out the cap. Stamkos will make that much money wherever he goes, he is an elite player.
Sorry it’s a Friday of a holiday weekend.
Chia is doing exactly the right thing. I about wanted to go through the radio to throttle the idiot on 98.5 who kept going on about how the Bruins had the cap space and should sign a premier free agent and “put their foot on the throat of the rest of the league.” The problem with the chucklehead’s “analysis” is that none of the people he mentioned would ever take a 1 year deal, and as Matt points out above, the Bruins are actually not necessarily in a great position against the cap after the upcoming year.
The chucklehead in question was a host, not a caller. The “Official Radio Home of the Boston Bruins” could do better.
Peter,
Don’t get caught with your pants down like the B’s did during the lockout! I would try and sign some key players ahead of their contracts expiring, despite a new uncertain labor agreement. Signing bonuses can be accounted for this year and you still have room for Savvy to come back or make a run for a player at the trading deadline.
If Chia signed twenty-nine year old Erhoff to a ten year forty million dollar contract I would have flipped. That is just insane and I’m sure GM’s are scratching their heads over this. I hope the B’s stand pat and let other teams commit capacide.
Looking at the numbers more: I think they need breathing room for a new CBA, only have 9 players signed after this year with 25mil cap space with Savard’s contract still in place, better RFA’s coming up in 2012 from other teams. I say they take Ryder back at 3mil and sign a depth DMan
@Rollie, that was an admittedly high salary estimate for a player like Arnott, but with a 1 year contract who knows. He originally played wing and as we’ve seen many centers can convert to the wing pretty easily. I think another year of a big veteran presence could be useful with what is still an extremely young team. Also whenever Bergeron gets thrown out another center could come in to take the face off. We will find out what the bruins are doing soon enough, but it is fun to speculate.
Absolutely loving this approach from PC – gotta plan for the future! With good management, we have a group that should consistently challenge for the cup over the next 5 years. Luke, that’s a ton of money for a player who is in decline; I respect Arnott, but he plays center (not a priority, and I can’t really remember ever seeing him play much wing), and there are much better ways to spend that money, IMO.
With Arnott at 4 M (he might even be lower than this but I assumed that given salary inflation) and Marchand at 3M the B’s could look like this. With about 2.3 Million for flexibility at the cap or for next year and another 4 million if Savard does not come back.
Those are 3 dangerous and balanced lines that each bring something a little different to the table and the merlot line stays in tact. I didn’t switch the D pairings around, but I doubt Chara and Seidenberg will be together most of the time, I would see Seidenberg with Quiader and Chara with Kampfer. Seidenberg was at his best pinching a lot and Quaider is more of a stay at home type. Chara can make anyone look better in their own end so put Kampfer with him.
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
1.) Milan Lucic ($4.083m) / David Krejci ($3.750m) / Nathan Horton ($4.000m)
2.) Brad Marchand ($3.000m) / Patrice Bergeron ($5.000m) / Jason Arnott ($4.000m)
3.) Chris Kelly ($2.125m) / Rich Peverley ($1.325m) / Tyler Seguin ($3.550m)
4.) Daniel Paille ($1.075m) / Shawn Thornton ($0.812m) / Greg Campbell ($1.100m)
Scratch.) Marc Savard ($4.007m) / Jordan Caron ($1.100m)
DEFENSEMEN
Zdeno Chara ($6.916m) / Dennis Seidenberg ($3.250m)
Andrew Ference ($2.250m) / Johnny Boychuk ($1.875m)
Adam McQuaid ($0.575m) / Steven Kampfer ($0.852m)
Scratch.) Matt Bartkowski ($0.850m)
GOALTENDERS
Tim Thomas ($5.000m) / Tuukka Rask ($1.250m)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,005,476; BONUSES: $3,230,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,294,524
Losing Recchi mainly is a leadership and veteran presence. I think Jason Arnott would actually be a great fit. The Bruins have always liked centers and another big body to throw around. Recchi also liked to sit in front of the net and set screens, something Arnott would be ideal at.
Sign Marchand. With Recchi gone and if Ryder signs elsewhere, look to fill the gap on the right side with a signing of Erik Cole. Probably a pipe dream.
Would have been wise to lock up Marchand before the rest of the league goes nutty with salaries in a few days, but I’m sure Marchand’s agent is well aware and dragging his feet. Pay day is coming….
No word on a Marchand agreement.
I do think the team will spend to keep him, but I don’t think they will sign Ryder or Kaberle for current cap hits much less raises.
Have they signed Marshand to a new deal yet. That had to be biggest priority
I think Peter is being very wise with his approach. Hold onto some cap room & save it for the trade deadline when a player or two may be needed for another cup run. It is nice to have a little flexibility under the cap going into the season & besides this will give a chance to see how some of the young guys such as Sequin, Caron, Kampfer etc. are going to fare in the line-up this year.
Good to hear this from PC. With the young/prime-aged core this club has got, best strategy is to plug the holes with your upcoming youngsters and some affordable veteran role guys. No reason why this team can’t remain a contender in ’12 missing the likes of Kaberle/Ryder.
shocked if ryder ends his bromance with claude.