Ever since the Bruins signed center David Krejci to a three-year, $11.25 million deal in June, Boston has been keeping mum on negotiations with other young stars like Phil Kessel and Matt Hunwick. But the team can only keep quiet for so long — officially, until July 24, in the case of Hunwick.
That’s the date the two sides have set as the end of arbitration,
which means the Bruins have until then to sign the 24-year-old
defenseman to a new deal.
Sources tell WEEI.com that lately, negotiations have come to a standstill, but arbitration could be a good resolution to help the two sides get on the same page. General manager Peter Chiarelli
& Co. only have another $4.3 million to work with under the salary
cap, and it may not be possible for them to keep both Kessel (who is
rumored to be seeking around $5 million per year) and Hunwick.
According to WEEI, the B’s are looking to sign Hunwick for around
$1.3 million, but Hunwick is seeking something closer to $1.5 to $2
million.
In 53 games with the Bruins in 2008-09, Hunwick tallied six goals
and 21 assists for 27 points and a plus-15 rating. Defensively, he was
the league’s leading rookie scorer.
