Murphy: RFA’s Prevented Bruins From Signing High-End UFA’s (BHN+)

As expected and predicted here just prior to the start of the NHL unrestricted free agent season Monday, the Boston Bruins were not in on any big-ticket UFA’s and instead addressed depth positions both at the NHL and AHL level.

The Bruins signed UFA forwards Par Lindholm (two years, $850,000 per season), Brett Ritchie (one year, $1 million per season), and Brendan Gaunce (one year, $700,000). Boston also signed goaltender Maxime Lagace to a one-year, two-way contract with an NHL cap hit of $700,000 and defenseman Josh Didier to an AHL contract.

The Bruins also addressed some internal business also extending defenseman Connor Clifton to a three-year contract extension through the 2022-23 season with an annual cap hit of $1 million and restricted free agent forward Ryan Fitzgerald to a one-year, two-way contract with an NHL cap hit of $700,000.