Bruins Sign Defenseman Seidenberg to Four-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to a four-year contract worth $13 million. The deal averages out to $3.25 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Bruins acquired the 28-year-old defenseman on March 3 from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Craig Weller, Byron Bitz, and a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 79 games last season with the Panthers and Bruins, Seidenberg had four goals and 28 assists for 32 points. He missed the last four games of the regular season and all 13 of Boston's playoff games with a wrist injury. In 374 career NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins, he has 18 goals and 98 assists for 116 points. Not a bad signing for the Bruins, as Seidenberg is quickly establishing himself as a top-four defenseman in the league. He's good on the power play and penalty kill, has sound defensive skills, and can chip in a goal from time to time. With two goals and seven assists in 17 games with the Bruins, he should be an effective point producer on the blueline for the team.

Bruins Acquire Defenseman Seidenberg from Panthers in Multi-Player Trade

The Boston Bruins added some defensive depth today by acquiring defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wings Craig Weller and Byron Bitz and a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 61 games this season with the Panthers, Seidenberg has two goals and 20 assists for 22 points. Bartkowski has yet to sign an NHL contract and is currently playing with the University of Ohio. The Bruins originally acquired Weller earlier in the season from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Chuck Kobasew. He has not played in any NHL games this season. In 45 games this season with the Bruins, Bitz has four goals and five assists for nine points and 31 penalty minutes.

Not a bad move for the Bruins, who appear to be stocking up on future defensemen right now. Seidenberg will bring plenty of offense to the Bruins' blueline, especially on the power play, as a likely playoff rental. Bartkowski has the potential to be a hard-hitting, physical, and offensive-minded defenseman, so he could be a good addition to the Bruins down the road. As for the Panthers, they have acquired a couple of physical checking-line forwards. Weller could bring the team plenty of grit on the wing if they don't keep him in the minors. Bitz brings plenty of third or fourth line offensive depth to the Panthers, as well as some size and toughness.