Defenseman Matt Hunwick and the Bruins have set their arbitration date for Friday, July 24 — less than two weeks away. But the two sides have had discussions on a multi-year deal that would keep the 24-year-old with Boston for up to three years.

According to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, discussions have recently dried up between the two sides, however, and arbitration appears to be a more likely resolution for the disparity in contract terms over the NHL’s leading rookie scorer at the defensemen position last season. With only $4.3 million remaining under the cap and Phil Kessel still unsigned (but still B’s property), it’s likely that the Bruins are looking for a little bit of savings with Hunwick, and seeking something in the $1-1.3 million range.

It’s also likely that Hunwick and Co. are looking for something closer to the $1.5-2 million for the 2009-10 season and beyond. Hunwick’s camp should also have the knowledge in the back of their minds that the young defenseman was labeled by Bruins management — no less — as one of the key elements missing in last season’s seven-game playoff defeat at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes after he ruptured his spleen against Montreal.

There is also precedent for Hunwick, as RFA defenseman Alex Goligoski signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins for $5.5 million on June 19. Goligoski’s pact will pay him $1.833 million a season over the next three years — with annual salaries of $1.25 and 1.5 million in the first two years – and Hunwick’s numbers were actually better than the 23-year-old Goligoski’s last season for the Pens. 

Boston has a distinct lack of puck-moving defensemen, and that’s exactly what Hunwick flashed ample evidence of when he was on the ice for the Black and Gold last season. Hunwick was the B’s third-leading scorer at defensemen with 6 goals and 21 assists last season, and he tied Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty for tops among rookie defensemen while actually playing in only 53 games.

Hunwick is back undergoing his normal offseason workout regimen in Michigan after fully recovering from the splenectomy performed on April 18, and shouldn’t be under any kind of physical restrictions when Bruins training camp commences for veteran players in September.

4 Comments for “Matt Hunwick arbitration date set for July 24”

1. Tony Says:
   July 14th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

   Bruins on the radio moving new BOSTON FM sports station for 09-10.
   BCN changing formats

   http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/07/bs_to_air_on_98.html

2. Miranda Says:
   July 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

   Tony - That is good news. 98.5 will cover the B’s all season. ‘Bout time.

3. Willy Wanker Says:
   July 17th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

   B’s could really use that close to 600K cap hit on the Schaefer buyout. Look for Kobasew to be the odd man out to allow them to sign both Hunnwick and Kessel…

4. Joe Haggerty Says:
   July 19th, 2009 at 11:22 am

   I’ve heard this as well about Kobasew, but I’m not ruling out Kessel still getting traded. They absolutely could still use the 600K for Hunwick and Kessel. Who cares if he has to spend another year in Providence? That shouldn’t be Chiarelli’s problem to worry about, but apparently it was because of the money coming off the cap.

   –Haggs

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