Peter Chiaraelli did what he has done best again today – locking up a solid forward to a long-term deal. Chiarelli and the Bruins announced that the team has reached a three-year deal for an extension. It will keep Peverley in a Boston uniform through the 2014-15 season.
The Bruins acquired the 29-year-old Peverley (along with Boris Valabik) from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 18 in exchange for Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler. In 23 games with the Bruins last season, Peverley had 4 goals and 3 assists before posting 4 goals and 8 assists in the Stanley Cup run. For the full year split between Atlanta and Boston, Peverley skated in 82 regular season games with 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. He has proven quite durable, not missing a game over the past two-plus seasons.
His best season came in 2009-10, when Peverley scored 22 goals and added 33 assists with the Thrashers. The St. Lawrence University product has 60 goals and 91 assists in 276 regular season NHL games with Boston, Atlanta, and Nashville.
He was originally signed by the Nashville Predators as a free agent on January 17, 2007 before being claimed off waivers by Atlanta on January 10, 2009.
Peverley leads Boston with two goals in three games this season, and has been impressive skating with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
No Changes To Line Combinations
Coach Claude Julien did not make any changes to the lines, despite the struggles of the first line through the opening three games. The fisrt four lines stayed the game (extra forward Jordan Caron skated as the fourth forward on the third line) and all seven defensemen went through drills.
David Krejci did leave early with what Julien described as a “body” injury. He was favoring his left side after suffering a blow during 2-on0-2 drills at practice. Julien said there is a chance Krejci will not accompany the team when it leaves for Carolina this afternoon.