Bruins feeling the pain
When the National Hockey League buyout period begins 48 hours after the Stanley Cup champion is decided, the Bruins will have serious decisions to make. However, one player's fate will likely be decided by an arbitrator.
Center Alexei Zhamnov, who had the worst season of his career in 2005-06 and was limited to 24 games because of injuries, was a strong candidate to have the final two years of his contract bought out, which would mean he'd be paid $1.35 million per season over the next four years and that figure would count against the salary cap.
However, his left ankle -- which he broke Jan. 7 in a home game against Tampa Bay -- remains balky to the point he is still regarded as injured. Therefore, he is not eligible to be bought out. Once the buyout window closes, that's it.
``There has been no improvement," said Zhamnov's agent, Jay Grossman, responding via e-mail. ``He has stayed in the US and under the care of Bruins physicians and medical staff."
Just to what extent Zhamnov is injured remains to be seen, but it's serious.
``If you are hurt, you have a claim that you're entitled to be paid," said a league source. ``You can't buy out an injured player. There may be a dispute as to whether or not he's injured. Those wind up in arbitration. If it's clear the person is injured, he can't be bought out."
Bruins interim general manager Jeff Gorton said no one is disputing Zhamnov is hurt and that the situation is career-threatening.
``He's still being bothered by the fractured ankle," said Gorton. ``To the point where right now he doesn't feel any progress. He's not feeling any better and we're going to have him looked at soon. We'll bring him back in to see our [doctors]. Our own doctors are saying he's got a severely fractured ankle and that it doesn't look good. He's hurt and we know he's hurt."
Gorton said the situation is tricky.
``It is against the [salary] cap, but if you go beyond the cap, if you have a guy like that, you can go beyond the cap for his number," he said.
The Bruins acquired the rights to 29-year-old winger Petr Tenkrat from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a seventh-round pick in next week's NHL entry draft. Gorton signed Tenkrat, a restricted free agent, to a one-year deal.
The native of the Czech Republic, who was drafted by Anaheim in the eighth round in 1999 (No. 230 overall), played this season in Karpat in Finland. He had 10 goals and 21 assists in 36 games. He has spent most of his pro career playing in Europe. His last year in the NHL was in 2001-02, when he split the year between Nashville and Anaheim.
``He's a skilled guy with real good speed," Gorton said. ``If you watch the [Stanley Cup] finals here, he fits in pretty well with some of the guys you see out there."
In other news, Gorton said there has been no decision on the future of coach Mike Sullivan.
``I haven't talked to [incoming general manager Peter Chiarelli] about the coach recently," he said.
Earlier this week, Chiarelli met with former Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn, whom sources said is a strong candidate for the job.
