as Marc Savard's is dealt with in Boston (i.e. he's on their salary cap, but the team has the right to place him on long-term injured reserve if necessary to get under the cap).



While we're on the subject, Savard's $4M/per hit stays on Boston's cap until they're done with their offseason maneuvering, then the Bruins will place him on LTIR for the purposes of getting back under the cap. As for Chiarelli, Rink Rap finds it hilarious that he is taking heat from people for putting himself in this position. Chiarelli built a perennial Stanley Cup contender by making goodwill investments in secondary character players. It's what separates a team like the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-06 from the Hurricanes in 2013-14. Now, because the NHL rolled back thefar as Rink Rap is concerned, Boychuk's timely contributions and big-play capability in all three zones not only make him a priority piece for this team to sustain its identity, re-signing him is essential for more kicks at the can because, minus explosive offensive players Nathan Horton and Seguin, the Bruins need explosion where they can find it and cannot continue to afford sacrificing it in favor of system players (ie. Seguin for Eriksson, Horton for Iginla). Trading Boychuk would be a mistake. His skills, grit and character are a great fit for a defense getting young, and his personality is great medicine for a room for of athletes whose intensity follows them off the ice.



4. Hamilton: Yes, the big kid is emerging as a potential star in