The arbiter, who heard the presentations from Bruin Blake Wheeler, his agent, Matt Keator and Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, has awarded Wheeler $2.2 million in a one year contract for the 2010-2011 NHL season. This became the expected amount after the Atlanta Thrashers signed former Chicago Blackhawk forward, Andrew Ladd, earlier this week to a reportedly, one year, $2.35 million deal. Ladd and Wheeler are similar in age (both are 23), years of experience (Ladd has 3, Wheeler 2), and point totals last season (each player scored 38 points).
In a statement issued by Keator, he said, “Blake and I are pleased with the decision. It came in the range we expected given the common comparables presented by both sides. He is ready to go to camp and have a great season.”
The Bruins have the options of signing Wheeler to that one year contract or walking away from the decision, which would make Wheeler an unrestricted free agent. All indications are that the B’s will sign Wheeler. The amount of money in the contract will put the Bruins over the NHL salary cap but the team has until the beginning of the season to get under the cap. Barring any trades for draft choices, it appears the team will send a veteran (possibly forward Michael Ryder) to the minors in order to start the campaign under the salary cap. Reaction to the announcement was mixed from the fan base. Some fans are happy to see the big winger will remain with the organization while others feel the arbiter’s award is too much and will be wasted money on a player who does not belong in the NHL. It is now up to Wheeler to show that he is worthy of the $2.2 million. Of course, it is not the fans who are signing the paychecks so how much a player makes should be a moot point with them but they take these numbers personally and have high expectations for the coming season. It says here that Blake Wheeler will rebound and have a very productive season for the Boston Bruins.
In other Bruins news, the organization announced the signing of free agent defenseman, Ryan Donald. Donald played his fourth season with Yale University last season and followed that up with three games with Springfield of the American Hockey League. He was impressive at the team’s recent development camp as a stay at home defenseman who keeps the game simple, makes safe plays with the puck, good first passes to the forwards, and has a cannon of a shot from the point. The big d-man, 6’3” 220 lbs, also showed he enjoys the physical aspect of the game as he dished out quite a few heavy hits along the boards and in open ice. Donald will likely start the season with the Bruins AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins