The Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Josiah Didier, although there have been conflicting reports as to what kind of contract it was. On the Bruins official announcement of all their signings, it is listed as a one-year AHL contract, but on the Bruins recap of the day including Sweeney’s comments from his presser, it is listed as a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. Regardless, he has yet to play an NHL game after being drafted in the fourth round (97th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. That is not expected to change this upcoming season, as he will almost certainly spend the entirety of it in the AHL given the sheer number of defenseman the Bruins have who are at least capable of filling in at the NHL level. He spent last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, recording two goals and eight assists in 41 games for them. He also had zero goals and four assists for them over 19 playoff games as the Checkers won the Calder Cup in five games over new teammate Max Lagace’s Chicago Wolves. Over his four-year AHL career, he has recorded eight goals and 25 assists in 195 games. He’s added one goal and seven assists over 28 career playoff games. Didier has played for two different teams in the AHL and he was also sent down to the ECHL for a few games in each of his first three seasons. He’s big, listed at 6’3” and 218 pounds, and is a strong, physical defenseman who is good at blocking shots and killing penalties. He is primarily a defensive defenseman, as you can see from his production over the past few years, and he’s at his best in a shutdown role where he can occasionally chip in on offense. He knows how to push his limits without taking a penalty, and while his skating is fine in the AHL, it will need to improve if he ever wants to play in the NHL. I think this is another solid signing by Sweeney, as the P-Bruins are in need of some veteran leadership, which Didier can provide given he’s 26 and therefore been around for a little while, and he also won the Calder Cup last season with the Checkers.
Welcome to Boston, Josiah!
Hockey Addict 