Matt Beleskey has hit pay dirt with the Boston Bruins after agreeing to terms on a five-year contract worth $19 million.
The 27-year-old left winger is coming off a career season with the Anaheim Ducks where he registered 22 goals in 65 games. He also added eight goals in 16 playoff games.
Beleskey was the consensus top forward among unrestricted free agents. His deal with the Bruins also comes with a no-movement clause during the first two years.
Beleskey decided to hit the open market after talks with the Ducks fell apart last week.
“We made an offer and they rejected it immediately,” Ducks GM Bob Murray said. “We learned this the hard way a few years ago. About overspending and getting yourself in trouble. We’ve made a really fair offer and God bless him if he gets more.”
In 329 career regular-season games the Windsor, Ont., native has 57 goals, 55 assists and a plus-1 rating to go along with 302 penalty minutes.
Don Sweeney has one of the busiest people in hockey since being named Bruins GM in May. He traded defenceman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames, sent winger Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings for a package that included goalie Martin Jones, who then was flipped to the San Jose Sharks for a first-round pick.
Prior to agreeing to terms with Beleskey, the Bruins also sent Reilly Smith and the contract of Marc Savard to the Florida Panthers for Jimmy Hayes.
July 1, 2015
Boston Bruins
