Bruins have deal with Boynton

The Bruins have finally reached an agreement with holdout defenseman Nick Boynton today, the team announced. The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont reported the deal was for one year and $1.75 million, the same number that was on the table at the beginning of the season.

"We are very pleased to have Nick signed," general manager Mike O'Connell said in a statement today. "He is one of the best young defensemen in the game, is a leader in our dressing room and we expect that he will play a big part in our team's success this season."

A couple of days ago, the Boston Globe reported there was no progress regarding the talks.

"I'm hoping for some soon," Boynton said at the time. "I just want to play this season."

Boynton, 26, was originally drafted by Washington as their first pick, ninth overall, in the 1997 draft. He re-entered the draft in 1999 and Boston made him their first pick, 21st overall. Boynton has played three full seasons with the Bruins and has increased his offensive production in each season, including his best season to date in 2003-04, when he had 30 points in 81 games. He has career totals of 17 goals and 55 assists for 72 points and 306 penalty minutes in 245 games. He was also named an All-Star in 2004.