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July 5, 2009
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After a very quite month following the first day of free agency, the Bruins made head ways yesterday by signing one, releasing one, and trading for another. Boston inked defenceman Dennis Wideman to a multi-year deal. Wideman had a career year last season setting career best with 81 games played, 13 goals and 23 assists while posting a +11 ratings. Nine of his goals came on the powerplay. He also played in all six of the Bruins playoff games, picking up three assists.
Terms of this deal were not disclosed. However, the signing of Wideman meant the end of the line for forward Glen Murray in a Bruins’ sweater. The Bruins placed Murray on waivers yesterday. No team has claimed Murray and now the B’s have 48 hours to complete a buyout. The 35-year old who has one-year remaining on his contract at $4.15 million, had 17 goals and 13 assists in last season’s injury plagued campaign that saw him play only 63 games. The buyout would save the B’s approximately $2.7 million against the cap.
The Bruins were also busy swapping minor league forwards who both saw NHL time last season. The B’s acquired forward Martin St. Pierre in exchange for forward Pascal Pelletier. St. Pierre played five games with the Blackhawks last season. He spent most of the year with AHL Rockford and led the team in scoring with 88 points (21-67) in 69 games. Pelletier played in six games last season with Boston. He scored 71 goals in 206 regular-season games with AHL Providence between 2005-08.
Dennis Wideman and the Boston Bruins are close to signing a new deal. The contract will be a three or four year deal worth a little more than $3M per season. The 25 year old defenseman is a restricted free agent that had filed for arbitration. If the two sides cant reach a long term deal before August 1st then the contract talks will go to a hearing. Wideman has played two season for the Bruins playing in 101 games posting 14 goals and 25 assist.
When Wideman signs, other Bruins’ contracts may be bought out. Mainly Glen Murray’s $4.15M. Signing Wideman will put the Bruins over the $56.7M cap. In order to bring that number down, Murray’s contract will make the most sense to buy out. The Bruins will take the cap hit of $1.4M each of the next two season.
<Owner Jeremy Jacobs and his son Charlie quickly told The Boston Globe that the rumors of them selling the team is not true. Jacobs also owns TD Banknorth Garden and a chunk of NESN. The rumors started flying last week when Boston Celtics part owner, Wyc Grousbeck, was interested in buying a piece of the Los Angeles Kings. That led to the obvious speculation of whether he’d want to buy the Bruins instead. Jacobs quickly squashed those rumors saying that the team wasn’t for sale."I can say with great confidence that it’s not on the market," Charlie Jacobs, executive vice president of the Bruins, told The Globe. "My dad enjoys operating the team and having a say in what happens here, as do I. That’s not happening. Nothing there. Absolutely zero. Zip. I don’t think that’s happening in my lifetime."