The Bruins announced today that they have agreed to terms with Gregory Campbell on a two-year deal and have re-signed minor leaguers Andrew Bodnarchuk, Adam McQuaid, and Jeff LoVecchio to extensions. Bodnarchuk and LoVechhio signed one-year deals, while McQuiad has signed on for two more seasons.
James Murphy of ESPN Boston and NESN.com is reporting that Campbell's deal is worth $1 million this year and $1.2 million the following year. The $1 million paycheck is a $200,000 bump from the $800,000 he earned last year in Florida. The centerman was scheduled to go to arbitration on July 22nd. I think Peter Chiarelli and his hockey ops crew were wise to sign this deal before the 22nd. The last thing you want is a contentious salary dispute before Campbell even steps on the ice for the Black & Gold. I think "Soup" will slide into Steve Begin's old spot on the 4th line and should be an upgrade over Begin, who was invisible for most of the '09-'10 season.
Fluto Shinzawa of The Boston Globe reported last week that Jeff LoVecchio had accepted his qualifying offer, but the deal was not announced until today. According to Shinzawa, the one-year, two-way deal is worth $605,000 at the NHL level and $62,500 in the AHL. The 24-year-old winger could see some time up with the big club this season as a call-up.
Bodnarcuk and McQuaid were both used as call-ups last season and will both likely have opportunities at the NHL level again this season.