Shortly after cutting ties with one member of their defense corps, the Boston Bruins locked up another for the foreseeable future.
The Bruins on Thursday re-signed defenseman Torey Krug to a four-year, $21 million contract extension.
#NHLBruins sign Torey Krug to 4-year contract worth an AAV of $5.25 million: https://t.co/S6o4uYOt22 pic.twitter.com/TJtNiSp4eT
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 30, 2016
Krug, who signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal last summer, was set to become an restricted free agent when the market opens at noon ET Friday.
News of the signing, first reported by TSN’s Aaron Ward, came down a few hours after reports that the Bruins bought out the contract of 34-year-old defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.
Seidenberg had two years remaining on a four-year deal, and the buyout will save the Bruins $2.833 million in salary cap space in 2016-17 and another $1.833 million in 2017-18.
Krug was Boston’s best puck-moving blueliner this season, ranking second on the team with a career-high 40 assists and helping quarterback the NHL’s seventh-most efficient power-play unit. The 25-year-old also ranked third among Bruins skaters in shots on net with 244 but managed just four goals, including zero in one 54-game span that stretched from December to April.
Krug underwent right shoulder surgery on April 21, and with the procedure carrying a projected recovery period of six months, there’s a chance he might not be ready to go for the start of the 2016-17 season. The Bruins kick off a seven-game preseason slate Sept. 26 before beginning the regular season Oct. 13 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
