Bruins Re-Sign Daniel Paille and Chris Bourque

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed left wing Daniel Paille to a three-year contract worth $3.9 million and left wing Chris Bourque to a two-year contract worth $1.1 million.  Paille's deal will pay him $1.3 million per season, while Bourque will earn $550,000 per season.  Both players would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.  In 69 games last season, Paille had nine goals and six assists for 15 points.  Bourque, who was acquired from the Capitals for Zach Hamill on May 26, had 27 goals and 66 assists for 93 points in 73 games with Hershey of the AHL.  These aren't bad depth signings for the Bruins, as both players will add some skill to the checking lines.  Paille has good defensive instincts and some skill on the penalty kill.  Bourque plays with lots of energy, has some defensive skill, and a little offensive ability.  He has spent a lot of time in the minors the past few seasons and has little left to prove at the lower levels.  Look for him to compete for a roster spot at training camp in September.

Bruins Acquire Chris Bourque from Capitals for Zach Hamill

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have acquired left wing Chris Bourque from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Zach Hamill.  In 73 games this past season with Hershey of the AHL, Bourque had 27 goals and 66 assists for 93 points.  He last appeared in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with Washington and Pittsburgh.  In 16 games this past season with the Bruins, Hamill had two assists.  He also appeared in 41 games with Providence of the AHL, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points.  Bourque has spent a lot of time in the minors over the past several seasons and has little left to prove at the lower levels.  If the Bruins choose to re-sign the son of long-time Bruin Ray Bourque prior to July 1, he will likely compete for a spot at training camp, where he will bring some offensive depth if he makes the team.  Hamill has some offensive upside and playmaking skill, but has struggled in the minors a little bit over the past few seasons.  The change of scenery could do him some good to help him improve his offensive game.

Capitals Sign Chris Bourque to One-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have re-signed left wing Chris Bourque to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 39 games last season with Lugano of the Swiss League, he had 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points. He also appeared in eight games with Atlant Mytischi of the KHL, scoring one goal. He last played in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with Washington. This is really just a depth signing for the Capitals, as Bourque will more than likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Capitals Claim Chris Bourque Off Waivers from Penguins

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have claimed left wing Chris Bourque off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins had originally claimed him off waivers from the Capitals this past September. In 20 games so far this season, he has three assists and is currently assigned to the Capitals' AHL affiliate in Hershey. Not a bad depth move for the Capitals to reacquire one of their former prospects. The son of legendary Boston Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque has plenty of offensive skill and the potential to become a top-six forward in the NHL, but at 23, he is starting to run out of time to prove he has the skills to remain in the NHL full time. Perhaps the Capitals will give Bourque another chance to crack the lineup, as several of their forwards are still sidelined with injuries.

Capitals Re-Sign Four Players to New Contracts

The Washington Capitals have retained several depth players by signing defenseman Shaone Morrisonn, right wing Eric Fehr, left wing Chris Bourque, and center Kyle Wilson to one-year contracts. Morrisonn’s contract is worth $1.975 million, Fehr’s is worth $771,750, while the financial terms of Bourque’s and Wilson’s contracts were not disclosed. In 72 games last season with the Capitals, Morrisonn scored three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 77 penalty minutes. In 350 career games with the Capitals and Boston Bruins, he has nine goals and 49 assists for 58 points and 355 penalty minutes. Fehr appeared in 61 games last season with the Capitals, scoring 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points. Bourque played in only eight games for the team last season, scoring one goal. He also appeared in 69 games with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate in Hershey, scoring 21 goals and 52 assists for 73 points. Wilson did not play in any NHL games last season, instead appearing in 80 games with Hershey, scoring 28 goals and 30 assists for 58 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game.

These aren’t bad signings for the Capitals. Morrisonn is a very mobile defensive defenseman who plays with some toughness. His defensive skills will make him an important top-four blueliner for the Capitals next season. Fehr brings plenty of offensive and scoring depth to the team’s forward lines. His improved offensive play last season should get him a top-nine role next season. Bourque possesses a wealth of goal-scoring and offensive talent and could likely become a top-six forward in the NHL. At 5’9” and 173 lbs., he will probably always be criticized for not being big enough, but that likely won’t stop Bourque from becoming a scoring forward in the NHL. Wilson has the skills to become a top-six forward in the NHL, but given the Capitals’ depth on offense for next season, he will likely spend most of it in the minors unless the team becomes ravaged with injuries.