If there is one thing that the Bruins preach, it is consistency. The Chiarelli-Julien regime has stressed this over and over and have jettisonned players like Blake Wheeler and let others like Michael Ryder leave. Steadier players like David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic have all been rewarded for their efforts even before the Stanley Cup run of this past season.
The latest Bruin to get paid is defenseman Adam McQuaid, who was resigned by the Bruins to a three-year contract extension. The deal keeps the hard-nosed D man from Prince Edward Island in a B's sweater through the 2014-15 season.
McQuaid was a key cog on the blueline in his first full season in Boston, scoring 15 points and amassing a +30 rating, good for fifth best in the NHL and first among rookies.
He was also a dangerous fighter when the Bruins needed him to be this year, as he was second on the team in fighting majors, behind only Shawn Thornton. Many will remember Christian Erhoff turtling once McQuaid challenged him in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He also had two great bouts against Matt Bradley and Paul Gaustad in the regular season. Not to mention the mullet. His haircut and tough persona has made him a fan favorite here in Boston in a reasonably short time span.
McQuaid's extension will add stability to a Bruins roster that will see a vast majority of its championship team return next year. Locking him up now was a brilliant move because he will only improve and will not have to test the free agent market for quite some time. I know many fans want to see Chiarelli spend to the cap but I would rather reward solid players and maintain team chemistry than throw money around at average players like the rest of the NHL is doing this summer.
Now let's resign Marchand.
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