Bruins keep away from arbitration with Ian Mitchell, signal defenseman to 1-year contract

Bruins

The Bruins nonetheless have two extra arbitration hearings set with Jeremy Swayman and Trent Frederic.

The Bruins settled one in every of their three arbitration circumstances forward of a probably contentious listening to, with Boston saying Monday that it signed defenseman Ian Mitchell to a one-year NHL contract with an annual cap hit of $775,000.

The 24-year-old blueliner was acquired by the Bruins final month from the Blackhawks in a commerce centered on Taylor Corridor. Mitchell was one in every of three Bruins to file for arbitration final week, becoming a member of goaltender Jeremy Swayman and ahead Trent Frederic.

Though arbitration hearings are set to start later this month, groups nonetheless have the power to barter contracts between now and every time mentioned hearings are held.

Mitchell’s new contract represents a slight dip from the $1.05 million in NHL wage he commanded final season. Nonetheless, Mitchell appeared in simply 35 video games for the cellar-dwelling Blackhawks in 2022-23, scoring a purpose and including seven assists.

The suitable-shot D will possible function a spare defenseman on Boston’s roster this yr, with Mitchell trying to battle Kevin Shattenkirk for normal reps on the Bruins’ third defensive pairing.

In response to CapFriendly, the Bruins nonetheless have $6.2 million in cap area this offseason, most of which might be allotted towards no matter contracts Swayman and Frederic finally ink.

Swayman’s listening to date is ready for July 30, whereas Frederic’s is scheduled for August 1.

Each Swayman and Frederic are due for pay raises this summer time.

Swayman, who went 24-6-4 with a .920 save share final season, earned $1.05 million in wage final season. Frederic, who buried a career-high 17 objectives and 31 factors, made $1.15 million in 2022-23.

Talking on Friday, Don Sweeney acknowledged that the Bruins want to craft new contracts for each gamers earlier than negotiations pivot to hearings.

“We’re all working arduous on that entrance,” Sweeney mentioned of Boston’s dealings with Swayman, Frederic, and Mitchell. “Having just about fixed dialogue with all three gamers and representatives – you already know that’s all the time the hope [of signing before the hearings].

“However, we all know there’s a path and there might be a proper answer on the opposite facet, and a technique or one other they are going to be a part of our group so, it’s only a software within the toolbox, that both participant elects or the membership elects and also you undergo and however hopefully we are able to. It’s not the last word purpose for anyone on both facet however it’s a path that determines if the participant might be again.”