Bruins Re-Sign Chris Kelly and Greg Campbell

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed center Chris Kelly to a four-year contract worth $12 million and center Greg Campbell to a three-year contract worth $4.8 million.  Kelly's deal will average out to $3 million per season, while Campbell's contract will average out to $1.6 million per year.  Both players would have been unrestricted free agents on July 1.  In 82 games last season, Kelly had 20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points, while Campbell had eight goals and eight assists for 16 points and 80 penalty minutes in 78 games.  These are excellent signings for the Bruins, as both players will add plenty of offensive depth to the club.  Kelly plays hard on the ice and has some two-way ability, as well as some offensive skill.  Look for him to bring plenty of skill to the checking lines over the next four years.  Campbell plays with lots of energy and toughness, has sound defensive skills, and is excellent on the penalty kill.  Like Kelly, look for Campbell to bring plenty of skill to the checking lines over the next three seasons.

Bruins Re-Sign Campbell, McQuaid, Bodnarchuk

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed center Greg Campbell and defensemen Adam McQuaid and Andrew Bodnarchuk to one-year contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. The Bruins acquired Campbell on June 22 from the Florida Panthers along with right wing Nathan Horton in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman, a first round pick in 2010, and a third round pick in 2011. The Campbell signing is not a bad one for the Bruins, as he is a versatile forward who plays with plenty of toughness. He's also good on the penalty kill, which makes him an effective forward for the team. McQuaid and Bodnarchuk are really just depth signings for the team. Both players play a physical game, while Bodnarchuk has some offensive upside, but will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Panthers Deal Nathan Horton to Boston

The Florida Panthers announced today that they have shipped forwards Nathan Horton and Greg Campbell to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman, the 15th overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, and a third round pick in 2011. Horton's name had begun popping up in trade rumors since the end of the season and more recently his name had been connected with the Bruins. In 65 games last season with the Panthers, Horton had 20 goals and 37 assists for 57 points. He missed 17 games with a fractured leg. In 422 career NHL games, all with the Panthers, he has 142 goals and 153 assists for 295 points. Campbell appeared in 60 games last season with the Panthers, scoring two goals and 15 assists for 17 points and 53 penalty minutes. In 76 games last season with the Bruins, Wideman scored six goals and 24 assists for 30 points. He also added one goal and 11 assists in 13 playoff games. In 378 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins, he has 46 goals and 119 assists for 165 points.

This is a great move for the Bruins, as Horton is a very skilled forward who has great goal-scoring abilities. He will likely play alongside Marc Savard on the Bruins' first line, which will give them the scoring punch that they have been looking for. Campbell gives the Bruins a gritty, defensive minded forward who is good on the penalty kill. He should be a good fit on their third line. Wideman brings the Panthers a decent puck-moving defenseman who can score goals and excels on the power play. With Bryan McCabe, Keith Ballard, and now Wideman on the blueline, the Panthers boast plenty of offensive contributors on defense and should be much improved in that area next season.