In a move to free up some cap space, the Boston Bruins have sent defenceman Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes for Patrick Eaves and a 2010 4th round pick. Ward returns to Carolina where he helped them win the cup in 2006. Eaves has already been waived by the Bruins and will be bought out.
This move was done by the Bruins to shed some cap space so they can try to re-sign Phil Kessel. Even with the trading of Ward, the buying out of Eaves, and the potential adding Kessel’s contract, the Bruins will be really close the cap. Ward has a cap hit of $2.5. Eaves was scheduled to make $1.4 million this year and $1.7 million next year. Eaves cap number after being bought out will now be just over $500,000 ($3.1 million times 2/3, divided by 4 years).
The Bruins still might have to move another player, and Chuck Kobasew might be the guy if someone would take the $2.333 cap hit ($2.5 million in each of the next to seasons).