Force will stay strong with Bruins as Darth Quaider signs extension
McQuaid/By S. Bradley
Talk about living the dream.
The past month couldn’t have gone better for Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid.
First the Bruins win the Stanley Cup. Then he gets to row a boat with Kate Middleton as a passenger. And today he signs a three-year contract extension with the Bruins.
According to CapGeek.com, the deal is worth a total of $4.7 million for a cap hit of $1,566,667 per season. The extension will begin in the 2012-13 season.
McQuaid emerged as a solid top-six defenseman last season, and even picked up some top-four minutes during stretches when the Bruins were hit by injuries. He finished with 3-12-15 totals in 67 regular-season games. Plus he recorded 12 fighting majors.
In addition to his role as a solid player, McQuaid also boasts the team’s best nickname — “Darth Quaider.” It was coined by teammate Andrew Ference. He also sports the best head of hair not just on the Bruins but maybe the entire NHL.
With the signing of McQuaid, the Bruins now have four of their veteran defensemen signed beyond the 2011-12 season (and the end of the current Collective Bargainin Agreement). Ference, Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg are also signed at least that long. Joe Corvo and Johnny Boychuk are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the upcoming season.
McQuaid and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli were scheduled to hold a conference call tonight, when McQuaid undoubtedly talked about how much he loves Boston and being a Bruin, and Chiarelli talked about how well McQuaid has developed and how this was a good time to the deal done with a young defenseman.
Great move by P.C. He is a good young player who will only get better and he can fight which the bruins need on their back end
Good to see him signed for 4 years, and I think this is fair value for him. He’s been really, really solid while doing what he has been asked to and then some. He hasn’t really shown that he’s a top 4 d-man, nor do I think he is, but I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have on my 3rd pair (who does a damn good job filling in on the 2nd pair when needed).
Great job. Good contract and I am more than happy to have him signed and on the books for 4 more years.
Looking at the insane contracts being dolled out, this is a steal. Jovanovski got over 4 million per season. I think I would rather have Quaider, and he costs 1/3 of that
Very good news indeed, this P.E.I. boy has got game.
Good proactive signing. With Quaider’s style, you know that he’s only going to get better. Chia might be the best at these decisions, save for maybe Ken Holland. He’s got a Stanley Cup winning team, where the core is locked up for quite a while, with some cap space too boot! All that and he hasn’t put the team in a tough position after the existing CBA expires. Pretty impressive.
This made my birthday! I love Darth and I look forward to seeing this guy brawl and play a solid defense for years to come.
Pierre – I’ll bet Boychuk is a deadline deal with Kampfer taking his minutes as the Bs approach the playoffs. As frustrating as Boychuk can be he definitely is a significant pro asset.
The Quaider move is a great one. Very pleased.
I like Darth Quaider but I’m pretty partial to Peverly Hills Ninja, coined by TBB’s own Hungus.
Good news. I like Quaider. I think this means they let Boychuk walk after the upcoming season. Hopefully he’s motivated to audition for his next team/contract and is better than this past season.
epitome of a bruin and pei’s favorite son.
amazing how far he’s come in just one year. claude barely let him on the ice during the ’10 playoffs.
I like it!