Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski was among 20 NHL players who elected for salary arbitration earlier this month, but the 26-year-old was reportedly able to come to terms on a new contract before his July 30 hearing.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports it’s a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. Bartkowski’s salary in 2013-14 was $650,000.
It’s common for players to reach deals with their teams before an arbitration hearing — an often difficult process in which the player’s performance is debated to determine which side’s submitted salary figure is more accurate.
Bartkowski tallied 18 points (zero goals, 18 assists) in 64 games for the Bruins last season — his first full NHL campaign. He also posted one point (an assist) in eight playoff games.
Bartkowski was among five restricted free agents who the Bruins needed to re-sign this summer, along with Reilly Smith, Jordan Caron, Justin Florek and Torey Krug.
Boston had $1,640,857 in salary cap space (this figure does not include Marc Savard’s $4,027,143 cap hit on LTIR) before Bartkowski’s new deal, per CapGeek.
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