Boston Bruins fans were hoping GM Peter Chiarelli would bring in some scoring help via the UFA market this summer.
Chiarelli signed a scoring winger but not a big ticket one like Marian Hossa, signing instead a forward who used to play for their arch-rival sin Montreal.
The Bruins signed former Canadiens winger Michael Ryder to a three-year, $12 million contract, paying him $4 million per season.
Seems a steep price to pay for a winger who managed only 14 goals and 31 points in limited ice time last season, but the affable Newfoundlander is only one season removed from his second straight 30-goal season, and if he can regain his scoring touch with the Bruins it could become a worthwhile signing.
This move should also demonstrate once and for all that the Bruins won't be dumping the contract of aging veteran Glen Murray to free up the cap space to get into the bidding war for Hossa.