The big news of the day was Glen Murray signing a 3-year contract extension. Murray, a fixture on the right wing for the past few years, and one of the best power forwards in the league was ecstatic to get it done. “The negotiations went on far to long, and some unsubstantiated rumours were reported by unethical sources. I am a Bruin and I want to retire a Bruin.”
Its is unknown is the trade was spurred on by the signing, but minutes after getting Murray’s name on the dotted line, the Bruins dumped a boat load of salary, along with some great prospects in a 9 player deal with the Islanders. Going to the Island was consummate veterans Adam Deadmarsh and Mike Ricci along with young defenseman Bryce Salvador and goalie Scott Clemmenson. Prospects Hannu Toivanen and Kris Vernarsky were the final pieces to the puzzle. Headed to beantown are winger Jason Blake, center Dave Scatchard and upcoming goaltender Mathieu Garon. The deal gave Boston a total of 4.75 million in salary savings.
GM Dan Fillion had plenty to say at the press conference. “We originally went to Glen and asked him if he would take a small roll back in pay to help out with our cap situation, but he was adamant that was not going to happen. We are happy to have Glen signed for another 3 years, but the fact that he took us to the wall will be remembered. Glen ended up with about a 1.7 million-dollar raise plus a substantial signing bonus. We did get once concession from him; there is not a no trade clause. If things get sticky with the cap, we have options now. But we had to adjust to that extra 1.7 million. We have trimmed allot of fat, its getting much tougher to clear salary. Was that behind our trade with the Islanders? Absolutely! But we also like the players coming our way.”
“Jason Blake was the key, he is small, but he is fast, has good hands and is one of best penalty killers in the league. Jason can also play either wing which will come in handy. Garon, he is a kid we like very much, with him and Robert Esche in net, we may not have any stars but we have 2 young guys who can split time and always be fresh, and with that our cap commitments are very reasonable. Dave Scatchard will be given a chance to battle with Jeff Halpern for the 3rd line center job”
When asked if the dealing was done, the weary GM replied “are we ever done? If a GM stops trying to improve the team, the players get complacent and soon you start losing, so of course, I am always looking. Right now we have an extra center, Scatchard and Halpern are in a battle, one may move, and we now have an extra goalie. Jamie McLennan is a good veteran who deserves to get some playing time in this league, I am going to try and find him a home.
After today's practice the lines looked as follows:
1st had Recchi, Thornton and Tkachuk.
2nd line had twin towers Murray and Knuble centered by diminutive Daymond Langkow.
3rd line had newly acquired Jason Blake on the right side with Halpern and Brendan Morrow.
4th consisted of center Dave Scatchard with Doug Doull and Micheal Grosek.
At time during practice Blake lined up on the left side of the 2nd line with Knuble skating on the 3rd.