Bruins Re-Sign David Warsofsky, Hire Assistant Coach Joe Sacco

Sep 17, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman David Warsofsky (79) shoots the puck during the second period against the Washington Capitals at 1st Mariner Arena. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Warsofsky and Sacco

The Boston Bruins continue to embark on their offseason in a safe fashion due to the salary cap, signing David Warsofsky, a Providence Bruin for the majority of last season, to a one-year, two way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level.

“I knew after the season that I was going to be a restricted free agent and at some point would have to start talking, and I think the talks were pretty smooth, ” Warsofsky said. “Both sides were on the same page and it’s nice to get it done early in the summer and kind of focus on your training for the rest of the summer, and skating, and getting ready for training camp.”

Warsofsky played his college hockey locally, at Boston University, and was taken by the St. Louis Blues in the 2008 NHL Draft with the 95th overall pick in the fourth round. The 24-year-old defenseman came to the Bruins through a trade that saw Vladimir Sabotka exit Boston.

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Last season, he notched six goals and 26 assists in 56 P-Bruins appearances, tallying his first NHL goal on December 28, according to ESPN Boston. He played six games for the Bruins last year, and GM Peter Chiarelli has noted that Warsofsky could make the squad, provided that he performs well in training camp.

Also, it seems Geoff Ward, Claude Julien’s top assistant, has been replaced with the hiring of former Buffalo Sabres’ AC and Medford, Mass. native Joe Sacco.

Sacco, 45, had coaching stints with several AHL teams, including the Lowell Lock Monsters, Albany River Rats and Lake Erie Monsters. He took the Colorado Avalanche’s head coaching job in 2009 and was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award in 2010.

“It’s exciting and obviously, from a family standpoint, we’re thrilled to be back,” Sacco said. “I said before, and I said this to Claude [Julien] when we were talking and I also mentioned it to Peter [Chiarelli], to me, it’s just an added bonus. There’s so many things that are attractive about coming back.”

Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1987, his NHL career as a right winger extended from 1990 to 2003, skating for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals.

These moves don’t represent anything new or groundbreaking; in a nutshell, the salary cap is hurting. If Chiarelli believes that his financial/trade asset situation can’t significantly improve the B’s, he may not make any moves at all.