Mark Recchi, back on the Boston payroll for 2009-10 for $1 million, made it sound like this would be his last season as an NHLer.

"I think this is probably going to be it," said Recchi, who has scored 545 career goals. "I want to go out and finish it off right by winning another championship and help this team be successful. I'd say this will probably be it. I've got my family situation I've got to consider and kids I've got to consider. It's been a great run. I think I want to give it one more chance."

The 41-year-old Recchi, who played with a kidney stone against Carolina, said his health is fine. Recchi will ramp up his off-ice workouts in the next 10 days, then come to Boston in September to kick off what may be his final season.

"I really like the pieces that are there," said Recchi. "Winning the Stanley Cup is not an easy thing. You want to give yourself every opportunity. I felt Boston was a great fit for me. We have the opportunity, if we do all the right things as players, to continue to grow as a team. I think everybody left pretty disappointed, which I really, really liked. Guys felt we left something out there. Guys will be that much more hungry this year."

* Interesting line from Recchi when he spoke about chasing one more Cup. "I'm playing for one more ring. That's the most important thing to me," said Recchi. "The reason I like Boston is that 99 percent of the guys on that team, I felt, really want to win the Cup. It's the most important thing to everybody in that dressing room."

Because of his ability to throw game-changing hits, Milan Lucic is headed to Calgary for Olympic camp in August. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)

On Wednesday morning, while waiting for a car service to drive him from Hartford's Bradley International Airport to Boston, Milan Lucic got a phone call he thought be coming.

It was Doug Armstrong, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel, informing Lucic that he'd been invited to the Olympic orientation camp in Calgary in August.

"I had mixed feelings about it," Lucic said. "I thought it would be a huge honor to get called. But I didn't know what to expect. I heard the media talking about it a little bit before. I wasn't going to get worried about it. If I got the call, great. If not, I wouldn't have been too upset."

Lucic was one of 25 forwards to get the call. He knows there's a reason why Hockey Canada selected him for the camp, which could be a prelude to making the final roster.

"The main reason they called me is because of the game that I play," said the thump-first left wing. "I have to keep that the same. I don't think I should go in there trying to be a scorer. They already called guys that are the best scorers in the league already. I understand the reason why they brought me into camp. It's more to play a checking role. I'd be playing limited minutes, but when I'm out there, I have to bring energy for the team. It's being physical, making good, strong plays, and being good in the defensive zone."

Mark Recchi will be returning for one more season in Boston. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)

With Steve Begin, Mark Recchi, and Byron Bitz in the fold, the 2009-10 roster is rounding into form. Here's where the Bruins stand:

Forwards

Marc Savard, $5 million
Patrice Bergeron, $4.75 million
Michael Ryder, $4 million
David Krejci, $3.75 million
Marco Sturm, $3.5 million
Chuck Kobasew, $2,333,333 million
Glen Murray, $1,383,333 million (buyout)
Mark Recchi, $1 million
Blake Wheeler, $875,000
Milan Lucic, $850,000
Steve Begin, $850,000
Byron Bitz, $687,500
Peter Schaefer, $566,667 (buyout)
Shawn Thornton, $516,667

* Phil Kessel is a restricted free agent.

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million
Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million
Aaron Ward, $2.5 million
Andrew Ference, $1.4 million
Mark Stuart, $1.3 million

* Matt Hunwick is a restricted free agent.

* Because Johnny Boychuk is considered a bubble player (similar to Vladimir Sobotka), he is not included in this model.

Goalies

Tim Thomas, $5 million
Tuukka Rask, $850,000

Current cap hit: $52,487,500.

ANALYSIS: The Bruins have $4,312,500 of cap space under the $56.8 million ceiling with Kessel and Hunwick yet to sign. Just about impossible to sign both unless movement of existing salaries takes place.

Jordan Caron, Boston's top pick last Friday in the 2009 NHL amateur draft, is among the invitees expected to attend the club's annual development camp that opens Tuesday at the Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington

The camp runs Tues. through Sat. and is open to the public, beginning on Wed. at 9:30 a.m.

The 25-man roster:

Forwards (13): Jamie Arniel, Scott Campbell, Jordan Caron, Joe
Colborne, Mark Goggin, Zach Hamill, Jason Lawrence, Jeff LoVecchio, Lane
MacDermid, Tyler Randell, Yannick Riendeau*, Max Sauve, Ben Sexton

* -- Currently Injured ... Will attend, but not participate in camp ...
Cross (knee) ... Riendeau (shoulder) … McKelvie (shoulder)

According to TSN, Mark Recchi has re-signed with the Bruins, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract. Recchi scored 10 goals and six assists in 18 games with the Bruins last season after arriving from Tampa Bay along with a 2010 second-round pick for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums.

In the playoffs, Recchi scored three goals and three assists in 11 games. Recchi was suffering from a kidney stone but didn't miss a match.

Milan Lucic was the only Bruin named to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp. The camp will take place in Calgary from Aug. 24-27.

Lucic will be one of 25 forwards to participate in the camp. Forty-six total players were named to the roster.

Marc Savard and Dennis Wideman were under consideration but not named to the roster given Canada's depth at center and defense.

Here is the rest of the roster.

ANALYSIS: Quite a feather in Lucic's cap to earn the invite after only two NHL seasons. But given his unique skill set, it's not surprising that he's under consideration for the final roster. The Canadians are loaded with skill, and they need players like Lucic to grind and bang. Savard was facing far too much up-the-middle competition in Sidney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, and Mike Richards.

Just got our first look of Byron Bitz's new deal, signed yesterday, with the Bruins.

The big winger will earn $675,000 in the upcoming season and then get bumped to $700,000 in 2010-'11.

Overall, a very economical deal for the Bruins, who could see the big kid from Saskatoon provide second-line support these next two seasons.

The Bruins have re-signed Johnny Boychuk to a one-year deal. The unrestricted free agent was named the AHL's best defenseman last season, as he scored 20 goals and 45 assists in 78 games.

Boychuk appeared in one NHL game last season. Boychuk was originally acquired from Colorado for Matt Hendricks.

ANALYSIS: Haven't seen the numbers on his contract, but it's most likely a one-way deal with a relatively low cap hit. Boychuk is an AHL star but a borderline NHLer. He could be a sixth or seventh defenseman with the big club if he sticks. If not, he'll be a welcome presence in Providence for the younger D-men. This is your classic depth signing.

Steve Begin has traded in the CH for the spoked-B. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff)

Two seasons ago, Steve Begin took a stick to Marc Savard's back. Last season, he absorbed a pounding from Shawn Thornton during training camp as payback. But that's all history now.

"It's hockey," said Begin. "One day you play for one team. Another day you play for another team. It's part of the game. In all those years I played against Boston in the playoffs, a lot of things happened. I'm going to be on the right side now."

Begin played for Claude Julien in Montreal. Begin didn't have as much luck under Guy Carbonneau and was shipped to Dallas last season.

"He listens to the players and he knows how to play you and how to use you," Begin said. "Look at [Michael] Ryder. A year ago in Montreal, people thought he was done. Now he's playing for Claude and he had his best season last year. That's what it's like with Claude. He gave me a lot of ice time. He played me a lot. The most important thing is he listens to the players and gets the best out of you."

ANALYSIS: Begin is a character player who will fill every role asked of him. Isn't afraid of anybody. Not the best fighter but is willing to drop the gloves. Because of his on-the-edge game, is always at risk for bumps and bruises. Will give the Bruins depth at the bottom of the forward corps. Good fit with the Bruins.

Audio from the Boston Bruins conference calls this afternoon with the media...

Bruins dive into free agency

As expected, the Bruins didn't do anything big once free agency opened at noon today. Instead, they tinkered with their lineup, signing unrestricted free agent forward Steve Begin to a one-year, $850,000 contract and re-signing restricted free agent Byron Bitz to a multi-year extension.

In the 31-year-old Begin, the Bruins get a hard-nosed, agitating forward they know far too well from his days in Montreal. In Montreal's first-round win in 2007-08, Begin teamed with Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos on a wrecking-ball line that regularly hammered Boston's best players. Toward the end of the regular season, Begin's cross-check to Marc Savard left the center with a broken bone in his back.

"He's a versatile player, a useful player, a gritty player," Chiarelli said. "He's a guy that can slide a little bit up the lineup. He can kill penalties. He'll wear the emblem on his sleeve. There are a lot of good things about him."

In 62 games last season between Montreal and Dallas, Begin scored seven goals and five assists while recording 42 penalty minutes.

"He's a tremendous, tremendous, competitive player and person," Chiarelli said. "He'll kill penalties. He'll fill a role. He has some energy. We're excited to get him."

The Bruins have signed center Steve Begin to a one-year contract. The former Canadien was traded to Dallas last season.

By signing Begin, GM Peter Chiarelli said that fourth-line center Stephane Yelle will not return. Begin will replace Yelle on the fourth line and serve in a penalty-killing role as well.

Byron Bitz, who became a restricted free agent at noon today, has signed a multi-year extension. Bitz scored four goals and three assists in 35 games in 2008-09. Bitz scored the opening goal in Game 7 against Carolina.

The 24-year-old was one of three Bruins to hit RFA status today. Phil Kessel and Matt Hunwick were the others.

We'll track down details of his contract.

Veteran blueliner Jaroslav Spacek, among the names the Bruins considered plucking out of today's free-agent feeding frenzy, agreed to a three-year deal with the Canadiens this aftrernoon that will bring him a total $11.5 million.

Even though he is 35 years old, Spacek's deal exceeds the three-year $10 million pact he just concluded with Buffalo, where he led the Sabres last season in average time on ice.

Sources in Buffalo and Montreal confirmed the deal.

Steve Montador is the first of Boston's UFAs to leave town. (Jason Cohn/Reuters)

Montador to Buffalo

According to TSN, Buffalo has signed D Steve Montador to a two-year, $3.1 million contract.

ANALYSIS: Clearly, the Sabres see something in Montador and feel that with proper coaching, he can play a more risk-free game. That was the hope for the Bruins -- that with more coaching from Claude Julien and Craig Ramsay, Montador could follow Dennis Wideman's lead and play more responsibly. But the Bruins weren't prepared to give Montador $1.55 million annually.

Khabibulin to Edmonton

According to TSN, Edmonton has signed G Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year, $15 million contract

ANALYSIS: The Oilers had to get a No. 1 goalie once Dwayne Roloson took the Islanders' offer. Manny Fernandez could have been an option for Edmonton, but the Oilers went for the Russian netminder at what looks like a reasonable number.

Knuble to Washington

According to TSN, Washington has signed F Mike Knuble to a two-year, $5.6 million contract.

ANALYSIS: Sharp signing by the Caps, who add some grit and net-front presence to complement their all-world skill. The ex-Bruin has always been respected in the room, and gives Washington more veteran leadership.

Hossa to Chicago

Chicago has signed Marian Hossa to a 12-year, $62.4 million contract.

ANALYSIS: The Blackhawks are going the Detroit route with this signing -- long-term to lessen the annual cap hit. Looks like Chicago will have to move some pieces around to make this fit into their salary structure.

Roloson to Islanders

According to Newsday, the Islanders have signed G Dwayne Roloson to a two-year, $5 million contract.

ANALYSIS: The Islanders should have some insurance if Rick DiPietro's health is an issue. Roloson could take over the No. 1 job, or be a solid backup to DiPietro.

Booth re-ups with Florida

Florida has re-signed restricted free agent F David Booth to a six-year contract. TSN says it's for an annual $4.25 million.

ANALYSIS: If Booth can get that number, Phil Kessel can ask for even more. Booth is 24 years old and a second-round pick coming off a 31-goal season. Booth has scored 56 career goals in 193 games. The 21-year-old Kessel scored 36 goals last season, and has 66 strikes in 222 games.

Orr to Toronto

According to TSN, Toronto has signed F Colton Orr to a four-year, $4 million contract.

ANALYSIS: Somewhat pricey for the ex-Bruin, but the Leafs now boast some much-needed sandpaper to toughen up their game. Orr is one of the league's heavyweights.

Ohlund to Tampa Bay

According to TSN, Tampa Bay has signed D Mattias Ohlund to a seven year, $24.5 million contract.

ANALYSIS: Big, experienced, smooth-skating Swede to mentor big, inexperienced, smooth-skating Swede in Victor Hedman. Those Bolts don't shy away from long-term deals, do they?

The Bruins, expected to be spectators rather than players today with the start of NHL free agency, have been talking this afternoon with agent Ritch Winter about bringing star winger Marian Hossa to Boston, according to two sources familar with the negotiations.

The two sides tried to strike a deal last July 1, but Hossa's price escalated far beyond Boston's budget, leading GM Peter Chiarelli instead to bring in Michael Ryder for a contract worth $12 million over three years.

Hossa, hoping to win a Cup, signed a one-year deal last July 1 with the Red Wings that paid him just less than $7.45 million. The Wings lost to the Penguins in Game 7 of Cup final.

According to a source familiar with Hossa's suitors, the Blackhawks also have been formulating a bid for the Czech-born right winger who twice in his 10-year career has broken the 40-goal plateau. In '95-'96, playing much of the time in Atlanta with Marc Savard his center, he scored 39 goals and collected 92 points.

The Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, have agreed to remain with the Vancouver Canucks, splitting a package worth $61 million, according to a number of sources.

The twins, who were to become unrestricted free agents as of noon today, will earn an average $6.1 million apiece over the next five years.

Tuesday night, the Flames came to terms on a five-year deal with defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who will earn an average of nearly $6.7 million over the next five years. The Flames acquired Bouwmeester's rights Saturday in Montreal, site of the NHL's amateur draft, in a deal that sent Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick to Florida.

We're only a few minutes away from the opening of free agency, but we've already seen some big deals take place. Henrik and Daniel Sedin have re-upped with Vancouver for five years at annual $6.1 million. Jay Bouwmeester agreed with Calgary to a five-year, $33.4 million contract. The Canadiens picked up Scott Gomez in a salary dump from the Rangers.

The Bruins aren't expected to make much noise today, but we'll post any news here and have a recap from Peter Chiarelli on the events this evening.

The last two players to wear No. 27 for the Bruins have been bought out. Glen Murray first wore No. 44, switched to No. 21, and closed out his Boston career with No. 27 before he was bought out on July 26, 2008.

Peter Schaefer, bought out today, wore No. 72 in 2007-08, his first year in Boston. After Murray was bought out, Schaefer switched to No. 27, his former number in Ottawa, during training camp. Schaefer was assigned to Providence before camp broke on the 2008-09 season.

The Bruins have bought out the final year of Peter Schaefer's contract. The Bruins will carry $566,667 toward their cap number in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Schaefer, acquired from Ottawa for Shean Donovan on July 17, 2007, spent last season in Providence. Schaefer scored seven goals and 19 assists in 47 games.