Bruins Fall Silent at Free Agency Start

With free agency moves happening all over the league, one noticeably quiet team can be found in the Boston Bruins. It’s no secret that the Bruins have had their fair share of frantic July 1st throughout the years; acquiring notable players such as Zdeno Chara. Free agency in the past has allowed Boston the opportunity of molding a team worthy of the 2011 Stanley Cup. This past season was filled with struggle, injury, lack of emotional drive and a never ending chorus of the dreaded “hangover.” Bruins faithful welcomed free agency with open arms; looking in anticipation for some variety in a virtually unchanged team.

Fresh legs, Recchi-like leadership and a player to complete the power play puzzle would make positive additions for the upcoming season. While fans assumed Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli would be quick to fix the roster during the 1st day of free agency; the endless hours of transaction coverage proved a different story.

“I’m not actively looking” Chiarelli told media on Sunday afternoon.

Not actively looking isn’t an instant red flag. For the majority of his duration with Boston, Chiarelli has made the right call when the opportunity arose. Should the right fit present itself, the roster will see some changes. Perhaps waiting for the initial influx of free agency to die down will prove beneficial for the black and gold.

Despite the information floating around the hockey world for a little over a week now, the Bruins did make official announcements regarding the signings of G Tuukka Rask, C Chris Kelly and F Alexander Khokhlachev. Rask now holds a one year, $3.5M contract and the hopes of being Boston’s number 1 between the pipes come fall. Kelly, arguably one of the most underrated players last season, has been signed at 4 years, $12M, making him a Bruin through the 2015-16 season. Khokhlachev, was signed to an entry-level contract that goes into effect once he begins playing in North America.

Khokhlachev was one of the many players participating in Boston’s development camp this week. Development camp is an intensive program designed to enlighten prospects on the expectations of the club.

“It’s about these guys getting to know each other, the themes and expectations that we put forward,” said Chiarelli. “Just a step in the building process.”

Steps and strides, Boston has a seemingly unlimited talent pool to draw from.

“This is our best skating camp that we’ve had which is a positive” noted Chiarelli.

Development camp positives, don’t make much of a difference in the grand scheme of the teams need for the upcoming season. With Stanley Cup celebrations to follow last summer, change wasn’t of much concern. What a difference a season makes, fans will spend summer looking for the start of fall, and the change that accompanies the word “season” both on and off the ice.