Boynton is back in the fold

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 10/1/2003

PROVIDENCE -- General manager Mike O'Connell announced last night, before his team's 1-0 exhibition win against the Stanley Cup-champion New Jersey Devils at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, that the Bruins have come to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Nick Boynton on a two-year contract. O'Connell didn't release contract figures but said he felt both sides were satisfied with the deal. The GM flew to Toronto Monday and sat down with Anton Thun, Boynton's agent, at 7:30 a.m. yesterday to hammer out an agreement.

"We hashed it out back and forth a little bit," said O'Connell. "We came up with a compromise. Then he talked to Nick and he wanted to see if we could do some more things so we talked and we just got it done [late in the afternoon]."

"We wanted him to play, we wanted him in the lineup," said O'Connell. "I always thought we'd get a deal done with him, it was just a matter of time." In the past, some restricted free agents, such as Jason Allison, Anson Carter, and Kyle McLaren, made demands that led to them being traded. O'Connell said both parties in the Boynton negotiations kept figures reasonable.

"Nick was never one who said he wanted to be traded," said O'Connell. "We were never really that far apart. A half a million dollars is a lot of money but we closed the gap. Nick made it clear he wants to play here and he likes our team and he likes the city. He's looking forward to getting started."

Boynton, recovering from a hamstring strain, has been skating and O'Connell said the player is scheduled to undergo a physical this morning.

Boynton, 24, averaged the most minutes per game of any Boston skater last season, playing 22 minutes 40 seconds per contest. His ice time paid off as he set career highs for a season in all offensive categories with seven goals and 17 assists in 78 contests.

Coming around

The Bruins received a stellar performance from goaltender Felix Potvin, who went the distance against the Devils and stopped all 28 shots he faced in the 1-0 win. Potvin stopped 12 in the opening period and helped fend off a five-on-three power play for 1:22 in the third. He said he's starting to round into form after two tough outings earlier in camp. "I'll sleep a little better tonight than the last two," said Potvin. "I made a few saves right off the start and I felt much better in there. We really picked it up in the second and third and played much better and it was a little easier. I think it will come back. It's a long way to get back from where I left [in January when he was lost for the season with a sprained knee] to where I want to be. I think I'm working toward that. I think it takes a while to get back into it. I'm getting closer to where I want to be." Right wing Glen Murray had the only tally, scoring on the power play at 2:44 of the opening period . . . Forward Kris Vernarsky and defenseman Rich Brennan were assigned to Providence . . . O'Connell said there was nothing new with defenseman Bryan Berard, who remains on the market, shopping for a team. The GM said he spoke to Berard's agent, Tom Laidlaw, yesterday and planned to get back to him soon . . . The Devils visited the White House Monday and coach Pat Burns said he was very impressed with President George W. Bush. "He has a lot of charisma," said Burns. "I was honored to be there. I'm not sure I've ever felt so honored. We got to tour the Oval Office. It was very impressive."