Let the Seguin era begin! Tyler Seguin, the 2nd overall selection in this past June’s NHL entry draft, has officially signed his first National Hockey League contract with the Boston Bruins. It is the customary three year entry level deal. It is similar to 1st overall pick, Taylor Hall’s contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Between salary and bonuses, Hall could earn up to $3.75 million while Seguin could earn up to $3.55 million. Bruins general manager, Peter Chiarelli has been quoted as saying that although Seguin is a center, he will most likely begin the season playing wing, which Seguin has done in the past and has said he will do so for the Bruins. Playing wing makes sense for the young star. As of this writing, the B’s have three veteran centers in Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron, and David Krejci, which would make Seguin the team’s fourth line center and seeing as Seguin is not a fourth line defensive specialist, he needs to be converted to the wing. Playing wing will also help Seguin make the transition from junior hockey to the NHL easier. He will have fewer defensive zone responsibilities as a wing than he would as a center and he will learn how to play the centerman’s position by observing. It will bode well for the young man’s future.
In other Bruins news, the team signed winger, Blake Wheeler to his salary arbitration awarded 1 year, $2.2 million deal. Both sides, management and Wheeler, himself, said the arbitration process was “professional” and there are no hard feelings between the two. Each side has had nothing but positive things to say about each other. With both signings, the organization is over the NHL salary cap of $59 million. Chiarelli told listeners in a conference call that the team is all but through exploring trades with the purpose of getting under the salary cap. He plans on putting winger Marco Sturm on Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). Sturn injured his knee in the Stanley Cup playoff series versus the Philadelphia Flyers. With Sturm on the LTIR, the team does not need to absorb his contract towards the cap number.
Bruins bruising winger, Milan Lucic will be seen playing in a softball game on Wednesday August 4, 2010 at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. LeLacheur Park is the home baseball stadium for the University of Massachusetts Lowell and to the Lowell Spinners, the Single A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The game will be raising funds for the Health and Education Services of Greater Boston. The game called, Rock and Jock Softball, will see star athletes such as, former Bruins captains, Rick Middleton and Ray Bourque, along with Lyndon Byers, playing beside former New England Patriot, Max Lane. Current Bruins, Tim Thomas, Shawn Thornton, and David Krejci will participate as well. They will be playing against a team full of Boston television and radio personalities. The game is scheduled to be the highlight of the evening but fans will also be entertained by games and infield entertainment. Tickets prices are $10.00 per person or VIP tickets can be purchased for $150.00 and can be obtained at the door. Fans can go to http://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/events/rockjock/index.html for more information.