Bruins Roster Already Largely Set Heading Into 2011-12 Stanley Cup Title Defense

There aren't many questions about the Bruins roster for next season as they enter the opening of free agency on Friday.

Boston will have to replace the experience and leadership of retired second-line right wing Mark Recchi. They may also need another winger on the third line if unrestricted free agent Michael Ryder signs elsewhere.

Tyler Seguin should slide into one of those open spots as he takes on a bigger role in his second season. Another youngster could also move into the lineup, with Jordan Caron the top contender and Ryan Spooner, Jared Knight, Jamie Arniel, Max Sauve and Zach Hamill other potential candidates. The Bruins could also look to the free agent market to bring in another veteran up front.

On the blue line, general manager Peter Chiarelli stated that Shane Hnidy will not be re-signed, but talks continue with fellow unrestricted free agent Tomas Kaberle. If Kaberle signs with another team, the Bruins could pursue another veteran puck-mover on the open market or promote from within. Steven Kampfer could be ready for a full-time role, with Matt Bartkowski the most likely of the kids on the farm to fill a depth role if needed.

Beyond that, the Bruins roster is largely set, with everyone else back to try to defend the Cup. At least for this year anyway, as the Bruins will face a much tougher time keeping everyone together in the coming years with many more deals expiring after the next two seasons.

Forwards

Milan Lucic	David Krejci	Nathan Horton
11-12 cap hit: $3.75 million	11-12 cap hit: $4.083 million	11-12 cap hit: $4.0 million
Signed through: 2011-12	Signed through: 2012-13	Signed through: 2012-13

Brad Marchand	Patrice Bergeron	Tyler Seguin
11-12 cap hit: RFA*	11-12 cap hit: $5 million	11-12 cap hit: $3.55 million
Signed through: TBD	Signed through: 2013-14	Signed through: 2012-13

Chris Kelly	Rich Peverley	TBD
11-12 cap hit: $2.125 million	11-12 cap hit: $1.325 million
Signed through: 2011-12	Signed through: 2011-12

Daniel Paille	Gregory Campbell	Shawn Thornton
11-12 cap hit: $1.075 million	11-12 cap hit: $1.1 million	11-12 cap hit: $812,500
Signed through: 2011-12	Signed through: 2011-12	Signed through: 2011-12

Marc Savard
11-12 cap hit: $4.007 million
Signed through: 2016-17

Jordan Caron
11-12 cap hit: $1.1 million (including bonuses)
Signed through: 2012-13

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara	Dennis Seidenberg
11-12 cap hit: $6.917 million	11-12 cap hit: $3.25 million
Signed through: 2017-18	Signed through: 2013-14

Andrew Ference	Johnny Boychuk
11-12 cap hit: $2.25 million	11-12 cap hit: $1.875 million
Signed through: 2012-13	Signed through: 2011-12

Adam McQuaid	TBD
11-12 cap hit: $575,000
Signed through: 2011-12

Steven Kampfer
11-12 cap hit: $852,500
Signed through: 2012-13

Goalies

Tim Thomas
11-12 cap hit: $5.0 million
Signed through: 2012-13

Tuukka Rask
11-12 cap hit: $1.25 million
Signed through: 2011-12

Unrestricted Free Agents

Michael Ryder
10-11 cap hit: $4.0 million
11-12 status: TBD

Mark Recchi
10-11 cap hit: $1.95 million
11-12 status: Retired

Tomas Kaberle
10-11 cap hit: $4.25 million
11-12 status: TBD

Shane Hnidy
10-11 cap hit: $500,000
11-12 status: TBD

Salary figures from capgeek.com