The Bruins announced today that they have signed forward Brendan Gaunce to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. Gaunce, 25, is listed as a center but has been more productive at the NHL level when he plays on the wing. Drafted 26th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, he only played three games in the NHL with them last season and tallied one goal and two assists. He has played 117 NHL games total over his four-year career, tallying just six goals and nine assists in that span. However, he has been productive at the AHL level for the Canucks’ affiliate, the Utica Comets, recording 16 goals and 22 assists in 60 games. According to Sweeney, he’s above 50% at the faceoff dot and has a heavy presence on the ice. He can kill penalties, and while his foot speed could stand to be improved, the Bruins hope they can work with him on it. A combination of his faceoff prowess, penalty killing ability, being a left shot, and the fact that he can play two positions are why Sweeney said they took the chance on him. He wasn’t given as much of an opportunity as he had been in the past this season at the NHL level, so hopefully, if he gets more of an opportunity this year in the event of injury, he can find a way to translate more of his offense from the AHL to the NHL. I think it’s a good signing for the AHL, as I don’t think he’ll get much of a chance, if any, in the NHL, because he brings a bit of a veteran presence to a P-Bruins team that seems to need it, especially with the departure of two of their veteran players, goaltender Zane McIntyre and forward and captain Jordan Szwarz, via free agency yesterday. Like a few of the other signings yesterday, it comes at almost no risk to the team, as if he doesn’t play in the NHL, he doesn’t count against the cap, and if does, he’s signed to a league minimum contract so it isn’t a big deal.
Welcome to Boston, Brendan!
Hockey Addict 