By Spencer Fascetta | Follow on Twitter @PuckNerdHockey
So, the Bruins have been a little active today. After the massive Rick Nash deal was consummated earlier this morning, the B’s announced that they had made three more transactions. Paul Postma and Chris Breen have both been placed on waivers (and Breen subsequently gave an NHL contract), and they have signed US Olympic Captain Brian Gionta to a 1-year, 1-way, $700,000 contract.
Photo Credit: Angela Spagna
Breen, 28, has been on an AHL only contract with the Providence Bruins this season. The Uxbridge, Ontario native was originally an undrafted free agent signing out of the OHL in 2010. After spending 4 seasons with the Calgary organization, he transitioned to the Bruins in 2014-15. In 44 games this season with Providence this season, he has 1 goal, 8 assists, for 9 points. Breen has 2 assists in 9 career NHL games, all with Calgary in 2013-14. Breen was placed on waivers because the Bruins have reportedly signed him to one-year, two-way contract, worth $650,000 for the remainder of the season, giving the B’s some blue-line depth they can recall if necessary later in the year.
Photo Credit: Brian Babineau
Postma, 29, was a free agent signing by the Bruins this offseason, signing a $725,000 1-way deal with the team. Originally taken in the 7th Round, 205th Overall by the then Atlanta Thrashers in 2007, this is Postma’s first season with an organization other than the Thrashers/Jets franchise in his career. After appearing in 65 games last year with the Jets (a career high), he has only found a place in the lineup for 12 games this year, contributing a single assist in that timeframe. It seems clear that Postma had lost the trust of the coaching staff of late, and the recent acquisition of Nick Holden from the New York Rangers made Postma the odd-man out.
Photo: Rochester Americans
Finally, the Bruins signed veteran Brian Gionta to a 1 year, $700,000 contract for the remainder of the season. The former Canadiens and Sabres captain has only played a single game of professional hockey this year, scoring a goal in his only appearance with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. The 39-year-old captained the United States at this year’s Winter Olympics and provided no points in the 5 games played by the team. A veteran of 1006 NHL regular season games, Gionta provides plenty of veteran experience in a depth role for the playoff-bound Bruins. He has tallied 32 goals and 36 assists for 68 points in 112 career playoff games. The 2003 Stanley Cup Champion (New Jersey) was taken by the Devils with their 3rd Round Pick, 82nd Overall, in 1998, and is expected to join the team when he returns from South Korea.
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