What Krejci's Deal Means for Kessel
Cap Constraints Could Affect Bruins’ Top Pick From 2006
The Boston Bruins had a few orders of business on their plate before free agency hit but on Tuesday, June 2, they took care of one of their bigger matters with the signing of center David Krejci to a three-year pact. The deal will reportedly see him earn $3.5 million next season, $3.75 million in 2010-11 and $4 million in 2011-12, averaging out to an annual cap hit of $3.75 million.
At a time when general managers overpay and overextend players for way too many years, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli successfully locked up a key part of his club to a respectable contract. Krejci set career highs across the board in 2008-09, piling up 73 points (22 goals, 51 assists) while posting a league-leading plus-37 differential. He encountered a slight dip in the playoffs but was still effective with eight points in 11 games and a plus-6 rating.
So, with the slick pivot locked up, next priority on Boston’s agenda is sure to be Phil Kessel. The 21-year-old winger enjoyed a memorable season as well, with new benchmarks in goals, assists and points (36-24-60), increasing his price on his next deal. But, Krejci’s signing might leave Kessel and the Bruins in a bit of a bind.
Bruins’ Salary Cap Space
As of June 3, the club had just over $50 million committed to 15 players, leaving them a maximum of $4-6 million – depending on the new cap number – to flesh out their roster. In addition to Kessel, Chiarelli also had restricted free agent forward Byron Bitz and defenseman Matt Hunwick on his radar, as well as a handful of veteran unrestricted free agents to consider, including P.J. Axelsson, Mark Recchi, Stephane Yelle and Steve Montador.
Under the RFAs, Bitz won’t take up a lot of dollars. Hunwick was coming along nicely with 27 points in 53 regular season appearances until a ruptured spleen cut his postseason short in the first round; to expect a decent increase on the $775,000 he earned in 2008-09 isn’t completely out of the question.
As for those free as the wind come July 1, Boston could consider bringing back trade deadline acquisition Recchi, after he contributed 10 goals and 16 points in 18 games. He’d likely cost the most among the unrestricted free agents, having pocketed $1.25 million last season. Axelsson could also be a candidate to return, albeit at a lesser cost than his previous $1.85 million price tag. Never a major offensive force, the 34-year-old enjoyed his second-best campaign on the scoresheet, notching 30 points; his previous high was 36 back in 2002-03.
Re-signing Kessel and the Impact on Patrice Bergeron
One way Chiarelli and the Bruins can ease the cost of re-upping Kessel is to follow the trend of front-loaded, long-term contracts, thus averaging out to more cap-friendly terms. While the name of the fifth overall pick in 2006 has been tossed around in trade rumors, it’s highly unlikely that the club wants to part ways with him. With that in mind, should Kessel ink a long-term deal, it could lead to some questioning the future of center Patrice Bergeron with the Black & Gold.
While only 23 years old, Bergeron can still be classified as a veteran on the squad, having been around since the 2003-04 season. In 2006, he was re-signed to a five-year, $23.75 million pact that runs through the end of 2010-11. He has $10.75 million remaining on his current deal, with teammates Milan Lucic, Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart likely eyeing raises at the end of upcoming year.
So, what does that mean for Bergeron? Well, as is always the case when it comes to cap space and contracts in hockey, one never knows until something actually happens. If the Red Wings can be creative enough to keep Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen and potentially Hossa, the Bruins could work things out as well. Only time will tell.
Phil Kessel
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Patrice Bergeron
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