JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The 2013 NHL Draft is just over 24 hours away from starting. But the Bruins’ six picks are not atop the team’s priority list.
The Bruins must re-sign Nathan Horton prior to next Friday, when he will become an unrestricted free agent. To do so, the Bruins will have to shed salary via trade.
“It’s actually pretty active,” GM Peter Chiarelli said during a press conference this morning. “When [Vincent] Lecavalier got bought out, it’s kind of thrown some teams for a loop. There’s a trickledown effect. It gives everybody pause for thought. It’s been fairly active.”
Rich Peverley is the leading candidate to be traded. Peverley carries a $3.25 million average annual cap hit.
* The Bruins will not re-sign Andrew Ference. But they may receive an asset for the UFA-to-be. Several clubs have inquired about acquiring Ference’s negotiating rights. Chiarelli has given Kurt Overhardt, Ference’s agent, permission to ask around. “I’m not going to stand in his way,” Chiarelli said. “Andy’s been a warrior for us. I want to help him as much as I can.”
* The Bruins have qualified Tuukka Rask and Jordan Caron. They have yet to qualify Kaspars Daugavins and Michael Hutchinson. They may still do so, said Chiarelli.
