Gill, others finding Bruins' cap a tight fit
He's a homeboy who threw spirals as well as body checks at Nashoba Regional High School, starred for four years at Providence College, and has played all seven of his NHL seasons with the Bruins.
But because the Bruins are approaching the $39 million salary cap, Hal Gill is uncertain of his future.
''Basically, the Bruins are bumping up against the cap," said Mark Witkin, Gill's agent. ''They can't really do any multiyear deal at this point that increases his salary substantially. Therefore, at this point, we see no reason to move. We'll see what transpires with their final roster and the amount of money that is actually paid."
Gill, along with Andrew Raycroft and Nick Boynton, are the Bruins' three significant restricted free agents yet to be signed. Assistant general manager Jeff Gorton said yesterday that no substantive talks have taken place this week, although GM Mike O'Connell planned to speak to the players' agents in the next few days.
When the free agency period opened, O'Connell said he would leave several million under the cap for a possible midseason acquisition. However, the market bumped salaries higher than expected, leaving less money to sign restricted free agents.
''There's only a certain amount of dollars available for us to spend," Gorton said. ''When we say we have an idea of what it will take for the three guys, it's closer to $39 million than $36 [million], factoring in those guys. It does make it more difficult. But all three are in our plans. If the numbers are right and we can get them long-term, that would be great."
Witkin said he would entertain a one-year or long-term deal for his client. If he signed a one-year contract, Gill would become an unrestricted free agent following this season. However, Witkin said Gill did not intend to sign a deal immediately.
''We're not going to do anything right now but see how it shakes out," said Witkin. ''They don't know what their final numbers will be, so therefore we really see no reason to do anything at the present time."
O'Connell has branded rookie goalie Hannu Toivonen as being NHL-ready, and has expressed confidence in the young defensemen -- Jonathan Girard, Mark Stuart, Milan Jurcina, Andrew Alberts -- as possible parent-club players. But the Bruins cannot afford to enter training camp Sept. 12 without their No. 1 goalie and two of their top four defensemen.
''It's not like we have to have these guys signed tomorrow," Gorton said. ''That said, the sooner we lock these guys up, the better."
The Bruins announced the signings of unrestricted free agents Jay Leach, Garret Stroshein, and Eric Nickulas yesterday. Leach, who had four goals and five assists in 62 games while manning the blue line for the Providence Bruins last season, signed a two-year contract. Leach, 25, played at Providence College for four seasons.
''He's a guy that, over the years, our scouts have liked a lot," Gorton said. ''He's been in our organization at the minor league level and his development's improved every year. He's somebody that can compete for a job out of training camp or be a good call-up for us. He's a big guy that can move around and add a little bit of toughness."
Stroshein and Nickulas signed one-year contracts. The 6-foot-7-inch, 245-pound Stroshein played for the Portland Pirates last season, recording one assist and 109 penalty minutes in 42 games.
Nickulas, a Hyannis native who played three seasons at New Hampshire, originally was picked by Boston (99th overall) in the 1994 draft. The 30-year-old forward had 11 goals and 11 assists in 53 games for the Norfolk Admirals last year. In 2003-04, Nickulas scored seven goals and 11 assists in 44 games with the St. Louis Blues.
''He can certainly compete for a third- or fourth-line job," Gorton said. ''If he doesn't make it, we know what he's capable of. He can be an effective everyday player in the NHL."
