The door was opened to the offseason free agent frenzy yesterday at noon ET, and it didn’t take long before several teams made impact moves across the league.

Locally, while our Bruins made no major moves, GM Peter Chiarelli was able to lock up two forwards yesterday for next season… one young and one old, one new face and one familiar one.

Boston Bruins Moves

Fourth line forward Byron Bitz will return to the B’s, as the restricted free agent signed a two-year deal yesterday. Bitz, who made his debut with the Black & Gold this past season, saw a good amount of ice time as the season went along. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.

Bitz will likely be joined on the fourth line by newly acquired centerman Steve Begin, a well-traveled veteran who has spent most of his career in the bleu, blanc, et rouge of Montreal. Begin, 31, spent last season split between the Canadiens and Dallas Stars, traded to Dallas last February. In a combined 62 games last season, he posted a 7-5-12 stat line, with a -6 plus/minus mark. Begin inked a 1-year, $850K deal, according to TSN.

Also rejoining the Bruins farm system is blue-liner Johnny Boychuk. Boychuk, who made his NHL debut with the B’s this past season, spent much of the season in Providence. Boychuk has an outside shot of making the big boy squad for this coming year.

Elsewhere, teams league-wide went on spending sprees to improve their clubs. Focusing first on the Northeast Division, here’s a quick look at some of the bigger deals made on Day 1 of free agency… Continue reading NHL Free Agency Fireworks Around the League on Day 1 »

On the first day of the free-agency signing period, Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli kept his word. Tuesday, after failing to make a draft day trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs involving Phil Kessel and Thomas Kaberle, Chiarelli told the press that he would not sacrifice depth in order to sign a big name. In fact, Chiarelli did the reverse, adding depth at a very low cost.

Byron Bitz

Just after the opening of the signing period, the Bruins re-signed restricted free-agent Byron Bitz to a multi-year contract, locking up the forward for at least a few years. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, as per club policy, the signing was reported to be at a great value. Continue reading Bruins Sign Byron Bitz, Steve Bégin, and Johnny Boychuk »

After earning their first Division championship since ’04, this past post-season looked very promising for the B’s. Boston had arguably the best goaltender in Tim Thomas, who averaged 1.85 GA throughout the regular season, and one of the most feared defenseman in Zdeno Chara.

After a clean sweep of the long-time rival Montreal Canadiens, there was a mentality that this might be the year for the Bruins to hoist the cup for the first time in almost 40 years. Boston had the best record in the East, just swept the Habs and had home ice advantage throughout the rest of the playoffs. Continue reading Future Looks Bright for Young Bruins »

Back in Montréal for the first time since his team swept the Canadiens out of the playoffs, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli knew he was less than welcome at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Commenting on how nice it was to return to Montréal, the locals booed Chiarelli as if the Bruins had decided to host a parade in street of Québec. However, the heckling quickly turned to cheers when Chiarelli announced the Bruins’ draft pick.

With the 25th overall selection, the B’s took right wing Jordan Caron of the Rimouski Oceanics (QMJHL). Standing 6’2” and weighing 202 lbs., the eighteen-year-old Sayabec, Québec native was warmly congratulated by the crowd, proud that yet another local was entering the NHL, even if it was to play for the enemy. Continue reading Bruins Draft Caron in First Round »

Welcome to NHL Draft Day 2009! Today marks the kickoff to what could be a very interesting and very important week for the hometown hockey squad. The first round of tonight’s big event will be broadcast live from the Bell Centre in Montreal on Versus, with rounds 2 through 7 being held tomorrow. This all leads to Wednesday’s free agent frenzy, when the league’s offseason free agency period begins.

At this point, GM Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins own the 25th selection in tonight’s first round. However, rumors have spread that tonight could mark a turning point in the formation of the Bruins teams of the future. Multiple media sources have reported this morning that restricted free agent Phil Kessel has been offered to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in exchange for 31-year-old defenseman Tomas Kaberle and Toronto’s first round pick tonight, which is 7th overall. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that “the Leafs are apparently canvassing the league to see if there are any better offers out there.” Reports indicate that Toronto is very hesitant to part with their first round pick this evening.

Tomas Kaberle has been a Maple Leaf his entire professional career, spending ten seasons in royal blue. He has two years left on his current contract, worth $4.25 million per season. Kaberle’s deal does include a no-trade clause, but also included in that contract is a small window in each offseason in which Toronto is able to dish off the defenseman. That window opens with the commencement of tonight’s draft.

At the conclusion of the NHL Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas, the 2008-09 season was officially over. After the Bruins took home the Jack Adams, Vezina, Norris, and Jennings Trophies, it’s now back to work for General Manager Peter Chiarelli.

With the signing of the David Krejci to a three-year deal worth a total of over $11 million already taken care of, the Bruins next priority has undoubtedly become fellow restricted free agent Phil Kessel. Despite the strong showing by Kessel in 2008-09, is the 22-year-old truly worthy of his asking price of $5 million a season? Continue reading Phil Kessel: Bound To Leave Boston? »