The Bruins announced today that they have resigned forward Peter Cehlarik to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. This was first reported a few days ago, but the Bruins put out an official release today confirming it. Cehlarik, who plays left wing, played in 20 NHL games for the Bruins last season, during which he recorded four goals and two assists. He mostly played for Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, last season, as he appeared in 53 games for them and put up 12 goals and 26 assists. He then played in four playoff games for the P-Bruins and tallied one goal and zero assists. Drafted in the third round (90th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins, Cehlarik has appeared in 37 career NHL games, during which he has produced five goals and five assists. The 24-year-old left wing has only played for the Bruins organization over his three-year professional career.
I’m happy the Bruins resigned Cehlarik. I wasn’t sure they were going to be able to, as if the rumors are true there are some trust issues between him and coach Bruce Cassidy, but those are also rumors and shouldn’t necessarily be taken seriously. But, I was concerned he would want to leave in search of a place where he knew he would play in the NHL. The Bruins must have given him some inclination he would, or I think he would have left. This is a good, low-risk deal that has the potential to look even better if he can stick in the NHL for good this time. It is concerning that he will have to clear waivers to be sent back down to Providence if it doesn’t. There’s no chance of him clearing in my opinion. So, my assumption is the Bruins are confident that he will be able to stick, which is good. I think he has it in him. I’m thinking we may not see him on the opening night roster though, as like I said he has to clear waivers in order to be sent down if they do so after training camp, so there’s a chance the Bruins will go with someone who doesn’t at the start and keep Cehlarik in Providence for a least a few weeks and have him prove he is above that level now. If there’s any doubt as to whether or not he’s ready for full-time NHL action, I think this is the smartest option. Why risk losing him for nothing if you are wrong? It’s not worth it.
Anyways, Cehlarik looked good when called up last season, but he was never good and consistent enough for long enough to stick around and make the Bruins confident that he was ready. But, he’s another year older and has had more time to develop, so he could easily be ready now. Either way, this is a good, low-risk, prove-it signing for the Bruins, and I’m happy they are giving Cehlarik one more chance to show whether or not he can be a full-time NHL player. It’s pretty much his last chance with the team because if he isn’t good enough to stick around this time, he will almost certainly be claimed off of waivers. The only thing I’m not looking forward is if he isn’t ready, and then having to listen to people say “call up Cehlarik”, as they don’t realize if they do just for a few games or due to an injury, they can’t send him back down or some other team will snap him up. Luckily that may not even be an issue. We’ll see what happens come October. Now, all I can say to Sweeney is sign the big guys: McAvoy, Carlo, and Heinen.
Hockey Addict 