Mar 8, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski (43) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Bartkowski Remains With B’s
Jarome Iginla got away from the Boston Bruins, but in that case, the low salary cap number was the main issue that prevented him from staying in Boston. Matt Bartkowski obviously wouldn’t have the same problem.
Multiple outlets, including the Providence Journal, have reported that the 26-year-old just signed a one-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars.
Last year, the defenseman made about $600,000, playing the most games of his NHL career (64) by far. With 18 assists and a plus-22 rating, he was due for a pay raise.
In 2012-13, he made only 11 appearances, and the year before that, he performed in only six contests. Even though, he’s not under 25 years old, Bartkowski’s still a valuable asset to the Bruins on the ice and possibly on the business side of hockey.
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Some analysts believe that the former Providence Bruin has trade value that the B’s could harness, although they would need to send him in a package deal with other players to noticeably improve their own squad.
Bartkowski filed for salary arbitration, which would see his restricted free agent status and contract settled on July 30, had the B’s not re-signed him.
Peter Chiarelli noted that every happening in the offseason requires a process.
“I’m always working. There’s stuff going on, but it’s just not fast. There are parameters and deals talked about, and it’s just kind of pushing it along slowly,” said Peter Chiarelli of the Bruins’ free agency action thus far, through CSNNE.com. “There’s not urgency. It may happen that it happens on the eve of training camp or two days before, because the player has to get to that camp from where he is. But it’s slow… it’s slow.”