Bruins Letting Kaberle, Ryder Hit Free Agency
BOSTON (CBS) – The Boston Bruins are letting Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder test the free agent market but that does not mean their days in Boston are over, GM Peter Chiarelli said Thursday.
"We certainly haven't parted ways," Chiarelli said on a conference call with the media. "I'm wary of the market, where it stands right now and I said 'look guys go out there and see what's going on and let's continue to talk.' The risk that we run is that they will get a deal then they can't come back to us. And I understand that risk. So that's where those two guys stand."
Free agency in the NHL begins Friday.
Kaberle was acquired from the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline, and never really turned out o be the "puck moving defender" the Bruins had hoped for. He scored one goal and had eight assists in the regular season, tallying 11 helpers during the playoffs.
Read: Report: Bruins Looking To Deal Kaberle's Rights
"What we've agreed to, with Tomas and his agent was that he was looking into the market and we've continued to talk with him. So certainly there's no finality there," said Chiarelli.
Ryder also had a disappointing regular season, scoring 18 goals to go with 23 assists in 79 games, but came up big for the Bruins in their Stanley Cup run. The 31-year-old winger had nine goals and eight assists, and came up with key defensive plays as well.
"Those are two guys that gave us good service so for the right number I would like to have them back, but I don't know what that number (is)," said Chiarelli.
Ryder has spent the last three seasons with the Bruins. His best year in black and gold was his first, when he scored 27 goals in 2008-09.
Read: Bruins Announce Roster, Schedule For Development Camp
Chiarelli also said the team will not re-sign defenseman Shane Hnidy.
"With respect to Hnidy, we've told Shane that we aren't resigning him. I think he'll be a good addition somewhere else and I told him that," said Chiarelli.
The Bruins GM also confirmed the team has extended offers to restricted free agents Brad Marchand, Stapan Chaput and Andrew Bodnarchuk.
