On the Boston Bruins …
Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: The Bruins decided not to trade Loui Eriksson at the deadline, or they didn’t receive a legit offer for the pending UFA. They could now lose him for nothing if they don’t re-sign him.
“You never now what’s going to happen,” said Eriksson, who clearly wasn’t willing or able to give up much information. “It’s up to Boston to see if they want to keep me, or what’s going to happen.”
On the chances of him being back with the Bruins next season.
“You never know,” he said. “We’ll see what’s going to happen. Like I’ve said before, I like to play here. It’s a great team to play for (and) a good city to live in. So we’ll see what’s going to happen this summer.”
On the open market, Eriksson would get at least four years and likely in the $5 to $6 million range. A team could go five years and $30 million.
If Eriksson does leave, the Bruins going after Jimmy Vesey may become more important to help fill the void left by Eriksson.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Chris Kelly was trying to get back into the Bruins lineup before the season ended. The 35-year old center spent his last six seasons with the Bruins, and his time with them could be over. Kelly made $3 million this year, and he won’t be get close to that as a free agent. He isn’t sure if he’ll be back Bruins.
“There are changes every year, regardless of if you win or you don’t. That’s just hockey. I love being a Bruin. We’ll see what happens. I have no idea what’s going to transpire the next little bit, but regardless I’d love to stay here,” said Kelly, who had two goals and two points along with a plus-3 rating in 11 games for Boston this past season before his season-ending injury against the Dallas Stars. “If that’s not the case, this place has been unbelievable to me and my family. I’ve been able to win a Cup, go to the Finals, win a President’s Trophy, and then not only on-ice experiences, but off-ice experiences, living in one of the best cities in the world and getting to experience that. It’s been extremely fun.”