By all accounts, the Bruins are one cap-clearing roster move away from re-signing Phil Kessel. But according to the sniper’s agent, the two parties are not close to consumating a deal.
“We’ve had ongoing dialogue with the Boston Bruins,” said Wade Arnott, Kessel’s agent, when contacted at his Ontario office on Thursday. “I really won’t get into any detail other than that, but we’ve had ongoing discussions.”
According to Arnott, Boston has been Kessel’s priority from the start. Last week, the Bruins shaved some dollars off the salary cap when they dealt defenseman Aaron Ward to Carolina for Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round pick and immediatley buying out Eaves’ contract.
That night, the Bruins signed defenseman Derek Morris, cutting the cap room to approximently $1.7 million. It’s been speculated that Kessel will demand slightly more than what David Krejci signed for ($3.75 million) in June.
“Boston is Phil’s priority,” Arnott said. “Obviously, the feeling has to be mutual. Our discussions have been very professional but are we anywhere near consumating a deal? No, we’re not.”
During the NHL Draft in June, Kessel’s name was the centerpiece of a potential trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for blue liner Tomas Kaberle. Due to a miscommunication between Bruins’ GM Peter Chiarelli and Toronto boss Brian Burke, the trade was never finalized.
“He handled it very well,” Arnott said of Kessel hearing his name brought up in talks. “He’s a 21-year-old young man and (Boston) is his first NHL team and I think he handled it on a mature basis, but it’s still difficult for any player to hear his name brought up in a trade in the public forum. Not only that, but this was a trade that was talked about in detail. I would say that he handled it very well, but it was difficult, as it would be for any player.”
With the acquisition of Derek Morris last week, the Bruins defense has taken shape. There aren’t any pieces left of the puzzle, it’s been solved. The defense is set (I just want to make sure this point is clear, hence me reiterating my point over, and over, and over).
So, the Bruins are left with an unsigned Phil Kessel, and the roughly $4.0 million price tag he’s likely demanding, to go with their $1.7 million in cap room. Money will have to be moved (most likely Chuck Kobasew’s contract), but there really isn’t any other option other than re-signing Kessel.
Trading him for a defenseman, at this point, is moot. And besides, any roster asset acquired in a Kessel trade would likely be earning roughly the same as he is asking. Unless the Bruins want to deal Kessel for picks/prospects, which is highly unlikely, re-signing the sniper is the only solution to a problem that has hung over the head of the front office all summer.
Time will well, and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said last week that he’s “done trading for a while.”
WEEI’s Joe Haggerty reports that former Bruins’ winger P.J. Axelsson has signed a four-year deal with Frolunda, his hometown team in the Swedish Elite League.
According to Axelsson’s agent, Neil Abbott, who spoke with Haggerty on Monday morning, the contract allows Axelsson to return to the NHL after this season if he chooses.
Axelsson was the longest-tenured Bruin, spending 11 years in black and gold. Abbott told Haggerty that the Bruins never extended an offer to his client, and never asked for Axelsson to make an offer to them.
—ANALYSIS—
Axelsson, no doubt, is a victim of Peter Chiarelli being pushed tight against the league’s salary cap. I can’t imagine that the Bruins wouldn’t want a guy like Axelsson on the roster, it’s just simple economics.
And let’s be honest, guys like Axelsson are easy to replace. He wasn’t a goal scorer, he was a grinder who was a tremendous penalty killer who was one of those guys that gave 110% every shift; he’s an energy guy.
I do wish him well in Sweden and he’ll do well out there, he plays that brand of hockey. I wouldn’t rule out a return to Boston next summer, if the cap situation works itself out.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli introduced his latest signing, defenseman Derek Morris, to the media on Saturday afternoon during a conference call.
The Bruins confirmed that the deal is a one-year contract; TSN is reporting its worth as $3.3 million.
Morris, 30, enters his 13th NHL season and Boston becomes his fifth NHL team. The 6’0”, 220 lb. native of Edmonton, Alberta was drafted by Calgary as their first pick, 13th overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He spent five seasons with the Flames, where his teammates included current Bruins Marc Savard, Andrew Ference, Chuck Kobasew and Steve Begin.
Morris has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers.
Morris has missed just seven games over the past three seasons and his career NHL totals to date are 76 goals and 264 assists for 340 points with 794 penalty minutes in 793 games.
Peter Chiarelli (Bruins GM):
On what Morris brings to the Bruins …
“We’ve consummated a one-year contract and very excited to have him on board. We’ve added a right-shot defenseman who brings with him a considerable amount of offensive skill. He can play both sides, has a thick strong body and a real competitive edge.
“He can move the puck and is good at finding a seam coming out of the zone. We feel he is an upgrade to our defense.
“This is the last transaction in a series of transactions (Aaron Ward trade, Matt Hunwick re-signing) to improve our defense.”
On the pursuit of Morris …
“The pursuit started on the first day (July 1st), but we had to do some housekeeping; we traded a very good person (Ward) to make some room. We brought Derek into Boston and he met with me and some other people, including Claude (Julien), and we talked philosophically about things on and off the ice.
“We love his compete level. You’ll see that come September; he’s a tremendous addition for us.
Derek Morris (Bruins defenseman):
On why he chose Boston …
“I’m excited to have a chance to go deep into the playoffs and win the ultimate goal of a Stanley cup.
“The biggest was, as a hockey player, looking for a chance to win. I had a few other calls from other teams but once I got a call from Peter it made my decision very easy. There is a lot of history (in Boston) and a lot of passion and as a player, you want to be around that.
“As for my family, I have three young boys who are tied into Phoenix and we have to uproot them. That can be tough, but seeing how tight everyone’s family is here made it easy. People are passionate about family and sports. Boston is the perfect situation. I hope Boston can be a place that my family and I can spend the rest of our lives.”
On signing a one-year contract
“It’s a bit humbling maybe, but maybe that’s not the right way to put it. You think high of yourself as a hockey player and we were thinking of maybe a long term deal, and there was some opportunities out there, but when Boston approached me I talked about it with my wife and as a player, you dream of opportunity like this, to go to a team, an organization and a city like Boston. It’s a one-year deal, but you never know, that doesn’t mean I won’t be here for five years. I’m really ecstatic about it, and my kids and family will absolutely love the city.”
On why playing for Claude Julien was attractive …
“As a player, I was looking for a place where I thought you’d have the best structure to succeed. )Julien) has a very manageable system for defensemen. You worry about your own end first, but the forwards come back very hard, which is a dream as a defenseman. If a player does turn up on you, you have forward there to help. On offense, it allows you to step up a bit more.
On what he expects his role will be in Boston and maybe playing with Zdeno Chara …
“Obviously they want me to do a real good job getting the puck out of the zone, make that first pass.
“Anyone would like to play with Zdeno Chara. I think he’s up there as one of the top-two defensemen in the league. (Nicklas) Lidstrom is up there too because he’s been around for years. (Chara) is a demanding guy, demands a lot out o his locker room and when I was an opponent, he demands a lot of respect on the ice. I plan on going in and playing as hard as I can. Obviously I would love to play with Z.”
On why Boston was the right fit for his family …
“My wife will love the city and the people. There are good schools for my kids, now the team is growing to where it will be, as a player, you don’t look at it like now you’re going there because they’re the best. I’m going because I love the city and the team.
Is Chuck Kobasew next in line to be traded?
The Boston Bruins finally set in motion their offseason plan.
Friday, the team dealt defenseman Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a fourth-round pick and winger Patrick Eaves. General manager Peter Chiarelli immediately waived Eaves with the intent on buying him out, freeing up roughly $2.2 million on the team’s salary cap (extending the B’s to $5.0 in cap space).
A few hours later, two team sources confirmed that the Bruins have agreed in principal on a contract with free agent defenseman Derek Morris, although terms of a deal are not known as of this posting. According to Morris’ agent, the Bruins are one of many teams after his client.
Clearing Ward’s space had nothing to do with trying to re-sign Phil Kessel. Morris over Ward is an upgrade, although Ward’s salary ($2.5 million) is likely in the area where Morris will sign. So, the B’s basically took Ward and turned him into Morris – six years his younger – and a fourth-round pick.
Not bad.
But, this could set the wheels in motion for a Kessel deal, who will likely command a contract similar (if not a bit more) than what David Krejci received earlier this summer ($3.75 average over three years).
In order to do that, the Bruins will still need to wheel and deal to create a bit more cap space. The most likely target is Chuck Kobasew, who is due $2.5 million both this year and next. If the B’s can move Kobasew for a draft pick (or unsigned prospect), along with whatever is left after a Morris contract is announced, should be enough to re-sign Kessel.
According to two sources, the Bruins have signed defenseman Derek Morris to a contract. No details on length or dollars.
Morris, 30, appeared in 75 games last season between the New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes putting together a 5-15–20 line. The 6-1, 221-pounder was drafted 13th overall in 1996.
Finishing the season with the Rangers after the trade deadline, Morris collected eight points, all assists, in 18 games with a plus-3 rating.
More to follow.
Credit: AP
All it took was 7:28 for the San Jose Sharks to pound the Boston Bruins into a submission the team hasn’t felt since Dave Lewis was roaming behind the bench.
As I wrote in Wednesday’s Eagle Tribune, the Bruins were out to prove something last night, but all they did was prove that they’re second-best with it comes to San Jose.
To be completely dominated as they were on their home ice, in arguably the biggest regular season game since the NHL lockout of four years ago, is inexcusable.
Sure they had a short bench (Petteri Nokelainen and Chuck Kobasew left with injuries), but that’s no excuse. Great teams find ways to win under tremendous adversity.
Now, this team needs to respond. Friday in New Jersey they will be up against another one of the best teams in the league. A win will do, but a statement is almost necessary.
BOSTON — With a fairly even second period, the B’s still hold a 2-1 lead over the Sharks at the break.
Mark Stuart took a puck off the face late in the period but was fine. He was on the ice for a few moments. The Bruins have had a lot of close calls with pucks and sticks near the face lately.
The game has quite the playoff atmosphere. … The sellout crowd is into it, coming unglued with every Boston goal and coming to their feet with practically every Milan Lucic and Shawn Thornton check. The teams have had their chippy moments as well, but it’s been relatively tame.
BOSTON — The Bruins PR staff just announced that Petteri Nokelainen, who was hit in the face with a stick in the first period, will not return.
Other notes:
- The B’s are 24-4-4 this season when scoring first but the Sharks are 11-4-4 when allowing the first goal of the game.
- Tim Thomas is playing in his 200th NHL game tonight (all with the Bruins).
BOSTON — All the hype was about the return of Joe Thornton, but it’s been Milan Lucic who is stealing the show.
Lucic’s two first-period goals have the B’s ahead 2-1 at the break.
Petteri Nokelainen left with about 25 seconds left in the period after taking a stick to the face. His face immediatley turned a shade of crimson. No word on his status. However, it’s quite ironic given that Nokelainen was filling in for Michael Ryder, who recently had surgery on his face.
Mike McMahon