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From the Bruins' press release:
Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 26, that the club has signed defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a one-year, one-way contract extension through the 2013-14 season and University of Minnesota-Duluth defenseman Chris Casto to an entry-level contract. Bartkowski's contract is worth $650,000.
Since being recalled from the Providence Bruins on March 23, Bartkowski has appeared in two games with Boston this season and registered two penalty minutes while averaging 14:19 of ice time. In total, Bartkowski has skated in 11 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and has recorded six penalty minutes.
Casto will join the Bruins organization from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (WCHA), where the defenseman skated in 36 games this year, tallying three goals and six assists. Casto’s nine points ranked third among Bulldogs defensemen. In his two seasons at UMD, Casto skated in 77 games and tallied five goals, 17 assists and 30 penalty minutes.
Bartkowski? On a one-way deal? This seems....well, awful, to put it lightly. Casto, on the other hand, is a little more intriguing. Here's what the Western College Hockey Blog had to say about the 6'3" defenseman:
Casto seemed like a lock to leave school as a top free agent target heading into the season, but a rough second year has caused his stock to drop a bit. Casto is 6'3" 210 lbs. and moves really well for a player of his size. If he can develop into a shutdown defender, he'll be a highly prized free agent target.
He'll likely head to Providence soon - which should bolster their blueline even further as they look to make a deep playoff run for the first time in four years.
But seriously? Bartkowski?