Chris Kelly’s deal was one third of Boston’s July 1 frenzy/Photo by S. Bradley
Luckily, TSN and the rest of the national media wasn’t relying on the Bruins to create the frenzy they sold their programming on today.
With the exception of filing the three contracts they already announced they had signed, the Bruins did nothing, and general manager Peter Chiarelli didn’t anticipate that changing, today on the first day of free agency in the NHL.
The new deals for veterans Chris Kelly and Tuukka Rask, and the entry-level deal for Alexander Khokhlachev are all now official. Other than that, Chiarelli said he “delved” into a couple potential forward signings but those talks went nowhere. A depth signing or two, or maybe a trade, could be in the Bruins’ future the next couple of weeks. Or we could see the team that lost in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs back next season with a few veterans dropped and a couple prospects in their place.
“I’m not actively looking for anything,” Chiarelli said today. “If something can improve our team, we’ll consider adding. But the secondary market, again, I would take the same approach – not actively looking, but … whether it’s the secondary market of free agency or the next market with respect to trades, we’ll continue to look at that stuff. But not actively looking.”
Overall, most second-tier players and depth guys around the league got their deals done. The big names — Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Alexander Semin — seemed content to drag out the courting process past July 1, much to the chagrin of TSN and its competitors.
On the ex-Bruins front, Joe Corvo returned to Carolina for a third stint. The veteran defenseman, who the Bruins had no intention of signing, earned a one-year, $2 million deal. Greg Zanon signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal with Colorado. Benoit Pouliot, whose rights were traded to Tampa Bay at the draft, signed a one-year, $1.8 million deal with the Lightning.
It was officially announced that the Bruins presented qualifying offers to restricted free agents Matt Bartkowski and Lane MacDermid. Those let go without a qualifying offer were Andrew Bodnarchuk, Jamie Arniel, Adam Courchaine and Stefan Chaput. Those four players are now unrestricted free agents.
As for the Bruins’ competition, Montreal definitely added truculence with the signings of Brandon Prust, Francis Bouillon and Colby Armstrong to go with their stable of solid skilled players. Ottawa traded forward Nick Foligno to Columbus and signed Guillaume Latendresse. In exchange for Foligno, they got defenseman Marc Methot. Ottawa also lost blueliners Filip Kuba (Florida) and Matt Carkner (NY Islanders).
Buffalo let Brad Boyes leave for the New York Islanders.
For a player who the fans have such a love/hate relationship with, I still don’t get how after a few seasons with the Bruins that people are still getting his name wrong…it’s Marchand, not Marchant. Somewhere out there, there is a guy names Marchant wondering just what he done to make people so worked up haha.
I have a feeling Marchand will settle down with his stupid plays and improve his game once again this season. Did anyone expect him to challenge Seguin with the goal scoring like he did last season?? These two are going to continue to push each other to do better and I for one think it’s going to be fun to watch!
It’s Marchand. Marchant was a center a while back. I fully agree with B16 on this one, Ryan has proven to be a 30 goal scorer, but Lucic is putting up similar numbers to that AND knocks over goalies, puts defenseman through glass, and adequately roughs up players to the point no one really wants to fight him anymore (He’s not quite smart/ disciplined enough to turn away a challenger.) That is a lot of add-ons to trade for just five to ten extra goals each season. I’m really not a fan of Lucic (he’s too reckeless, makes poor decisions like running Miller) but I do think what he brings to the team is really too important to let go of for someone like Ryan. We would have to get a smarter, more productive, proven winner if we want to trade Lucic. He’s not the reincarnation of Neely, but seriously, he’s got 60 points and 30 goals on his resume in a season in addition to his style of play. He’s more valuable with us than away, and that’s coming from NOT a Lucic fan.
BBB,
I can understand why you don’t like Marchand, I feel kind of the same way, but he’s an agitator. He’s supposed to get the other team worked up with the little slashes and such. The clipping has to stop (although I am a fan of hipchecks) as do the other reckless plays, and it seems like management and Marchand both have the right attitude about how to solve the problem, so I’m willing to accept him onto the team and hope he solve that and develops class (as he seems to be trying).
There’s things I don’t like about Marchant and Lucic but I know Marchant had a lot more to do with the cup coming back after forty years. Lucic was hurt I know but Marchant was a key to the run.
I’d trade Lucic for Ryan yesterday. Ryan had some questions surrounding him at the draft but he has proven that he’s a legitimate thirty goal guy and would help the power play. The power play that is the fault of coaching I’m told.
If the Bruins trade Lucic for anyone, I will personally go down to the Gardens and dropkick PC and my idol Cam Neely myself. Lucic is the one player that keeps bringing me back to the game. I would trade the soft Krejci and the coward Marchant for Ryan. Throw in a couple of prospects and away you go. The day Lucic is traded from Boston, I will go beserk. The day Marchant is traded from Boston, I will celebrate.
If the Bruins trade Lucic for anyone, I will personally go down to the Gardens and dropkick PC and my idol Cam Neely myself. Lucic is the one player that keeps bringing me back to the game. I would trade the soft Krejci and the coward Marchant for Ryan. Throw in a couple of prospects and away you go. The day Lucic is traded from Boston, I will go beserk. The day Marchant is traded from Boston, I will celebrate.
Ben
I am telling you that Ryan for Lucic,is a BAD deal for the Bruins. Saying that you would “consider” the deal Ryan for Lucic and a prospect sounds like luke warm endorsement of the transaction. RD has it right, to get rid of Lucic would mean the Bruins are losing some of their identity. Most often fans of a team list players that they would like to get rid of in possible deals. If you noticed, in my blogs, I’ve advocated deals for Pouliot, Corvo, (sorry Big Jim), and Thomas. These players have worn out their welcome, in Boston. Players like Bergeron, Sidenberg, Chara, Lucic, Thornton, Boychuk, Kelly and maybe Horton should not be offered up in deals, unless there is a marked drop-off in their play or hustle. None of the above mentioned players have demonstrated big drop-offs.
Bruins16, you my friend mistake me for someone who does not like Lucic. I love the way Lucic plays. I would cheer for him on any team (except for games against the B’s). There will be no crow to eat as I have never said Lucic is bad or a poor player. This is where you are going wrong with this discussion. I have simply stated that Ryan for Looch warrants a look at. See previous post:
Ben says:
July 5, 2012 EDT at 6:10 pm
The only problem with Bobby Ryan is the cost which I would belive to be somewhere in the lines of Lucic and a prospect not named Hamilton. Although… I would definitely consider that.
See the wording, “only problem with Bobby Ryan is the cost” and “consider” would be the key words/phrase today.
I unlike PC don’t have a staff to watch different nuances of each player side by side to make a deal. If I did I would consider a trade and make the best call to IMPROVE my team and not sit by and watch another year of near misses. If it were possible to keep Looch, I would in a heart beat. I am a realist though and as I put on my Ducks GM jacket I see an opporunity to replace the 30 goals I’m gonna lose from Ryan and add grit to my team. PC could look at it as increased mobility, speed and scoring touch from Ryan.
As for the Oilers, I am not a fan. They will not trade Hall as he, Eberle and the rest of the #1′s are the face of that franchise for at least the next 5 or so years. I agreed with Bojangles that they will be fun to watch and you better believe that I will be there donning my best Bruins jersey cheering on the B’s when they play eachother!
You just need to calm down and read what people have written. Thanks and have a good night.
Ben
Bobby Ryan plays small, similar to Wheeler, regarding the physical side. I grant you he can put the puck in the net, but he doesn’t seem too interested in checking. ( I only watched Anaheim play twice though) Lucic will come back and make sure you capture/kill a crow for that day. As far as your comment regarding the Oilers vs. the Bruins, I don’t think its keeping the Bruins management up at night. My guess is that they will deal Hall for a d-man, probably from Toronto. As it is right now they may have the weakest defense corps in the league, with or without the signing of Schultz. Geography has got nothing to do with it, Lucic should not be traded for Ryan!
I don’t do the looch for Ryan trade, but that doesnt mean I’m not trading for him. The bs have a need to upgrade on the wing and they have depth at center. For me, any trade for Ryan would be a Kreijci and additionally player (I’m thinking Caron or knight/spooner). Seguin will one day, sooner then later, be the top line center on this roster. If he is going to progress towards that or into that role, DK needs to move on. The depth at center will allow the bs to try either Seguin at top line or perhaps even Bergeron alhough i would rather see peverly there. A trade like that would allow for Seguin to blossom, move looch from top line and pair him with Bergeron and Marchand. Finally it would open up some cap space for the bs to sign a veteran 3rd liner (holmstrom, Sykora etc) or promote and build from within. Offensively speaking I think you would be hard pressed to fine a better top line in the league then Ryan, Seguin, and Horton.
Believe it or not, but the cup window in boston is shrinking in my opinion. We have an all world defender in chara who is only going to get older, and if we don’t start scoring on the pp, then all his efforts go for naught.
Bruins16, You’ve missed the point. Bobby Ryan isn’t the smallest guy either. I’m just saying that you would have to consider that trade being benificial to both teams. Sometimes players need a new start. Lucic just wasn’t the same guy last year that he was when the B’s won the Cup. Which I watched every game. And yes the D men fear Ryan because he can make them look stupid. Just cause I’m geographically challenged doesn’t mean I’m not a hockey fan. Bojangles, I agree with the Oilers I can’t wait to see the B’s play them in 2-3 years.
Ben
Obviously you’ve been watching those two jaugernauts the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers too much when making your analysis. First off, Bobby Ryan’s stats are in a system which is much more offense oriented than Boston’s, which results more offensive chances. Second, the physicality of Lucic’s play is much greater than Ryan’s: that is what is meant by FEAR. If you ask those same D-men who they would like to go into the corner with, Lucic or Ryan the answer won’t be Lucic. You may have missed the Stanley Cup run, but Canuck, Lightening, Flyers, and Hab d-men were coughing up the puck because of physicality of Bruin forwards, i.e. Lucic, which resulted in a Cup win!
The puck-moving D-man will have to come from Krug or Hamilton, with regards to our present sqaud. It will probably have to be developed with our present roster, but I think Chara should not be on the first PP sqaud; he takes too long to get rid of his shot.
Bojangles
You’ve been right many times on this blog, but on Lucic you’ve missed your mark.
“Boston fans are overly giddy about fighting”
Whaaaaat?
I was suggesting trading Looch 2 years ago. Boston fans are overly giddy about fighting, and Looch is overrated here in my mind. Not that he doesn’t bring a ton when he’s on top of his game, but wouldn’t hesitate to move him in the right deal. That said – I’m not sure Bobby Ryan is the right guy. Now, Corey Perry? Hell, Yeah!
Oh.. and Boston fans will be fine so long as the Bs win.
An aside… As a Hockey Fan (not just a Bs fan), I’m really excited that Schultz signed with Edmonton. They needed a solid defenceman to play with that stable of stud forwards. They’ll be fun to watch in a couple years.
Trade away Lucic and Boston loses a lot of team identity. I’m assuming there are a lot of promotional intangibles attached to a player as rough and rugged as Lucic in Boston. Tossing Looch and bringing in a scorer will alienate some fans who love Milan and will definitely reduce the big bad Bruin image.
Personally, I think Lucic is already declining. It might be foot injuries or an accumulation of punishment but he seems to already be slowing down (skating wise). If you could get Ryan for Lucic and some kid, I’d do it.
So yeah, you take a hit on the marketing front but I think the team improves.
Ben, obviously Bobby Ryan is a great player but the Ducks hold more leverage in a trade than Columbus does and I think Ryan will actually require a lot to get him because of his age and contract. I still think they should keep looking at Nash if for no reasons other than they were reportedly on his list and the asking price may go down as the summer goes on. I feel like Anahiem can easily create a pretty large bidding war, if teams are turning to them instead of dealing with Columbus. Nash has had just so little to work with over his career and may have mentally just hit a wall because of it. I have a feeling PC is working on something either way.
I’m a fan of Bobby Ryan highlights… but his game has holes. If the Bs make such a ‘significant’ trade, I’m thinking Yandle. (Boychuk plus one for Yandle anyone?) Doan would be about the best addition the Bs could make, but I think ThomasO is right… the price won’t fit very well (unless he wants to play for this team, and it sounds like he likes the west).
Ryan for Lucic seems like a marginal upgrade at best. Sure, he should be more consistent in producing points, but Lucic already comes close, so why give up what could be a lot of value for not a lot of extra potential? For this trade to be worth considering for us, we would need to send over a player on the skill level of Peverly or Caron and a few picks prospects. Otherwise I don’t see how this would make sense for us.
George, doesn’t a line of Ryan, Bergeron and Seguin sound good?
Bruins16, ask the D-men of the west if they fear Bobby Ryan and the answer will be yes. Why? because he can score and lots. No he isn’t Lucic but he does warrant some consideration with his skill and consistency. He is a 4 time 30+ goal scorer with a decent 5mil cap hit for four more years and Lucic has one @ 4mil. I would like to know who this elusive puck moving D man you are talking about? This Dman isn’t coming. Not unless it’s a significant trade or until Hamilton is ready. And Horton can’t be relied on to be the same as he was before the last head injury. All I’m saying is that if I were PC, I would look into Ryan and I would consider Lucic as up for grabs for someone like Ryan. Trust me it pains me to say that.
The only problem I see with Bobby Ryan is that he plays on a line with Perry and Getzlaf, what would he produce with not as much talent on his line?
Ben and others
The Bruins will NOT trade Lucic for Bobby Ryan. You tell me which opposing d-man would be intimidated by the presence of Bobby Ryan. Our offense shortcomings will be improved with the return of Horton and the acquisition or development of a puck-moving d-man. PC is sly, he does not make deals through the media and he does not show his cards early.
We just have to figure a way to unload the Tim Thomas contract!
The only problem with Bobby Ryan is the cost which I would belive to be somewhere in the lines of Lucic and a prospect not named Hamilton. Although… I would definitely consider that.
And since Im dreaming…Evander Kane would look great in Black and Gold
PC should seriously consider making a run at Bobby Ryan. I think he would be a great fit here. Plus, you could move Looch down to the 2nd line. If they dont make a trade for him, or target Doan in free agency(hes gonna be way overpriced), maybe they could make a run at Thomas Holmstrom. I doubt he would leave Detroit, but is he unrestricted. He would be a good veteran presence to bring in at the right price who still has some hockey left. His last contact was 1.8
George, Thats good news from PC. I’m in Alberta so I have to search high and low for Bruins info. I will try and check that out online. Maybe there is a chance PC will pull the trigger after all. One could hope anyway.
RD I was happy to see the Canadiens sign Price, I think he’s underrated and a great goalie. I like Emelin’s game too, love to have a guy like that on the Bruins.
Ben! Turns out I was dead wrong about my post to you. Chiarelli is really a sly dog….Boston Globe reporting Bruins made an offer to Parise. Considering PC said he was not going after anything big and that they had no interest in Subban before drafting him…..I’m at least happy they are looking to improve the team even if they didn’t sign him.
I agree George. I don’t think PC would do a contract like that. He should but he won’t. I think there will be lots of money next year as I can see the cap rising once again. As well some bad contracts would come off(Thomas). I would also take Doan over a couple Bruins forwards.
Ben, I don’t see PC giving a contract out like Doan would get with the truckload of free agents he has to potentially resign next season. I like Doan a ton but I don’t think the tying up that money is a good idea. If they sign someone its a one year deal IMO.
Where was PC the last couple of days. Parise for that price (although high) would have been a nice finishing touch on the B’s. Especially with not knowing what is going on with Horton.
Parise & Suter to the wild. 2 identical contracts -13 yrs 98 million.
I hear ya about the contract but we have a hard time up here in Quebec. I realize you guys pay some tax in Massachewsetts but you’d be astounded by what we charge on the federal, provincial and municipal level up here. 1 million USD up here is much less so you have to bump it up a bit to begin with.
Then you have the massive media crush up here. It’s not exactly appealing to a lot of hockey players that might like to spend their evenings chasing the ladies and consuming adult beverages. So, I do think that we end up paying a bit of a premium for players. Should we pay twice what Thornton makes? No way, but when you factor in the age different between the players, the difference in average minutes on the ice. Shawn gets about 8 minutes (and much less in the playoffs) and Brandon Prust is more in the 12-13 minute range so he’s a bit more serviceable out there for things other than fighting. I know it’s not a huge difference but for a 4th line guy, 4 minutes more a game is quite a bit.
As for Doan, if you can get him, he’d be everything Recchi was with more size and leadership.
What I’ve read about Doan is he is waiting until July 9th which is when this referendum about the new Coyotes ownership should be solved. At that point he will decide if he stays or goes. I suspect with the horrible track record of the city of Glendale and the Coyotes that he will hit the open market. I truly believe that Doan is one of those players who is on PCs radar. A three or four year deal at 4 mil is probably what he is looking for though and I don’t know if PC is willing to pull that trigger. I sure hope he does as Doan competes hard every day! Something that the B’s need again. We miss you Mark Recchi!
Khudobin is ready. I have no hesitation with him as a #2. I’m actually more concerned about Rask as #1.
Word I’m hearing is that Doan wants to stay in the West – and maybe follow Whitney to Dallas. He is exactly what the Bs need to cover their butts on Horton though. I don’t think Iggy’s gonna move. Jagr doesn’t excite me.
I wish Parise would sign so we can get things rolling again.
I would love to see Doan come to Boston! Plays a hard nosed game of hockey and would add a veterans presence in the locker room.
I agree with David on Khudobin, he’s worth a look this season.
Any thoughts on either Iginla or Doan coming to Boston? What do I know, but of all available they seem like they would fit in the best here…
RD,
There is only so much you can justify the Prust contract by. He’s a very similar player to Thorton and now getting paid twice as much and then some over a longer term…you guys do really need it though.
Also, I don’t know if you saw what Khudobin did against Ottawa, but he looks pretty solid and is worth at least a shot, otherwise we can probably just talk to NYI and get one of their five.
I would like to see the Bruins add another scoring-type winger though. I’d love to see Parise here, but that feels like fantasy. I’m in the camp that would like Jagr here for a year, but a rookie management considers ready would be nice as well.
YES, 4yrs 10mil is a lot for an enforcer but at least Prust is one that can play, and Montreal badly needed one. I’d just as soon pay Prust the money than say…Gomez.
I’m just not sure we should have moved away from Staubitz. He had some sandpaper also.
Emelin is back on for 2 years so the Habs should be a bit harder to play against.
btw, it must be strange to be content with your team and not need to pick up a player. You guys aren’t in the market for a backup goalie?
They’ll be grittier… and they’ll fight, but the shipped off Roy. They’re also going to suck!
Now Ott to Buffalo too. Pair him with Kaleta on the third line and Buffalo is gonna be a much gritier and tougher team for the Bs to play next year
Correction – 4 and $16 Double – Holy Crap!
I was really advocating for the Bs to look at Parenteau for the third-line wing, but Holy Crap! 4 and $12! Are you kidding me?!
And only in Montreal do you sign an enforcer to a 4 year deal worth 10 million (avg 2.5 a year)
Sorry for the double post above
Buffalo also signed John Scott…who unsuccessfully chased Chara around the rink the one time they faced each other last year. Hopefully Chara never obliges that huge goon.
Buffalo also signed John Scott…who unsuccessfully chased Chara around the rink the one time they faced each other last year. Hopefully Chara never obliges that huge goon.