Bruins Sign Shane Hnidy to One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Shane Hnidy to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The contract will be for the rest of the 2010-11 season, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hnidy had been on a professional tryout contract with the team since February 23 and will begin his second stint with the Bruins, previously playing there from 2008 to 2009. In 70 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, he had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points and 66 penalty minutes. In 547 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota Wild, he has 16 goals and 55 assists for 71 points and 631 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Bruins, as Hnidy is likely being signed as defensive insurance for the playoffs. He will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the blueline as a seventh defenseman and should fit in nicely after already playing in Boston for parts of two seasons.

Wild Sign Defenseman Hnidy to One-Year Contract

The Minnesota Wild added some toughness to their blueline on Friday by signing defenseman Shane Hnidy to a one-year contract worth $750,000. In 65 games last season with the Boston Bruins, Hnidy scored three goals and nine assists for 12 points and 45 penalty minutes. The nine assists were a career high for the veteran defenseman and his 12 points tied a career high in that category. In 477 career games with the Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, and Anaheim Ducks, he scored 14 goals and 43 assists for 57 points and 565 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Wild, as Hnidy brings some much needed toughness to their blueline. He will likely be the sixth defenseman on the blueline next season due to his lack of speed, but his stay-at-home qualities will be effective for the Wild.