I really hope we keep him.

The one caveat: A free agent’s market value is exactly what another team is crazy enough or desperate enough to push a player’s way once they’re free to negotiate. If the Boychuk camp knew a team was coming in with a Jeff Finger-type deal (4 years, $14 million) on July 1 then the situation gets a bit murkier, and it becomes much less of a certainty that Boychuk returns to the Bruins. The Finger deal is still used as a cautionary tale around the NHL when it comes to giving a player big money after one good NHL season, and Boychuk could be in that category.

Considering what Ference got…probably going to be more than 1.5. Then again I’m not an NHL GM and it’s entirely possible that his couple of big hits made him seem better than he was.

I’m just glad they don’t have to deal with Wade Arnott this summer…I don’t think. Although I don’t knew who everyone is represented by.

I’m guessing Stuart at 1.75 and Boychuk at 1.25. Even that would leave the defense payroll at 21.25. The idea of Matt Hunwick moving to the wing has been bounced around, and I think I would like to see how that look. It has worked on a short-term basis, and it is not unheard of.

We are going to lose either Stuart or Boychuk, signing both doesn’t seem all that likely at this point. Personally, I’d like to keep Boychuk, but I’d be happy if we re-signed Stuart for a reasonable amount.

Something in the neighborhood of $1.4-1.8 million per season for 2-3 years should be the eventual price tag for a defenseman now entering the prime of his career.

That seems a touch low, but if they locked him up for something like 3 years at between $5 and $5.5M, I’d be very happy.

……and Stuart too. We have very limited cap space as we all know and I was never completely floored by either of these guys. Sure, Boychuck laid some great hits but that doesn’t mean he’s an amazing all around blue liner. As for Stuart, we seem to have enough puck moving defensemen for now.

I’d rather see them use the $$ on resigning Recchi and Satan, because we need goals and some veteran leadership for the incoming rookie(s)

Stuart is known, and has gotten better every year. Boychuk had a good half-year and a great playoff run. I think it is obvious who should be kept if the choice was between these 2 players. Stuart.

I’m torn on this debate. I’ve been a huge fanof Stuart’s pretty much since he first came up. He’s been solid for the B’s since pretty much his first call-up, you could tell he was going to be a very solid d-man. Before this season he was an a iron man of sorts. He played 100% every shift of every game. Boychuk on the other hand is coming into his own. Plays very good defensively and has a booming shot from the point. He played extremely well in the playoffs along side Chara. I think in long run though i think keeping Boychuk will be better. Both players will get about the same money, but the fact that Stuart is an RFA and you can actually something in trading him is what decided it for me. Keep Boychuk and then trade Stuart’s rights for a second or a decent prospect I think is the best option. In this situation you solidify the Defense for next season, as well as, stocking up for the future as well. I won’t exactly be excited to see Stuart leave one bit, but it make the team better in more then one way.

ok, on my website my poll is "who do you want to see the Bruins resign?, and someone voted Wheeler. Im assuming it was someone from here, who was it? Beacuse thats crazy.