TSN reports that Bruins three and four centers Chris Kelly and Greg Campbell have been signed to new deals. Kelly’s deal would take him past his 35th birthday, the point where the collective bargaining agreement that expires in September makes the cap hit count regardless of players status. That would be in the last year of his contract and should not affect this deal. Greg Campbell who was hampered late in the year by a broken foot was extended for three years.
The deal give the Boston Bruins 11 NHL forwards under contract not counting Marc Savard. This makes the competition for those final forward roster spots crucial. A third line wing position would be the current open spot. As Peverley has been used in all three positions and on all four lines in his Bruins tenure there is a chance it would be elsewhere, likely that depends on the health of Nathan Horton going into training camp. Likely top contenders are Jared Knight, Ryan Spooner, and Alex Khokolachev who all spent last year in the OHL, also aiming for that spot will be Chris Bourque (yes Ray’s son) who was recently swapped for Zach Hamill, Jamie Arniel, Carter Camper who had a stay with the big club last year, Maxime Sauve who had his first NHL game ended by an injury, and Craig Cunningham who led the Providence Bruins in goals last season as a rookie.
