Confirmed with Link: (Updated) Chris Kelly signs with Ottawa. 1 YR @ 900K

[toasterjam]

Loved Kelly, exactly the kind of game I can appreciate. This is a good move by Bruins to move on, we need to usher in some youth and speed into the bottom 6. No more fillers: Talbot, Kemp, Gagne, Pandolfo..whoever the veteran is that they invite to camp.

Nash, Acciari, Randell, Ferlin, Czarnik, Griffith, Blidh, even Colby Cave.

I wanna see those guys compete for jobs and see if any can raise their level of play and earn a roster spot.

Nice to see Kelly go back to the Sens too. That is cool!

 

[Hamilton Brian]

Thanks Kelly!!!! Standing O when you return to Boston, for sure!

 

[The Zapper]

Never shortchanged us on the effort, his line held us in that first round in 2011 so we could win it in 7, not his fault he was kept for too long at the expense of others.

So thanks Chris, always a Bruin, but definitely time for us to move on.

I remember watching that third-line come to life during game four against the Habs (especially during that sequence shortly before the Ryder OT winner) and thinking... "if this is our third-line, we're in a very good spot." He was definitely a Bruin in my mind since that game; however, his game has never been quite the same since 2013, despite some good complimentary play with Eriksson and Soderberg.

But alas, it's neither the '11 postseason nor the 11/12 campaign. He's not going to be putting up any 20g, +33 seasons anymore. Glad to see him earn a deal with Ottawa.

 

[cobrak]

Nothing but respect for Kelly's contribution to the cup they won. Unfortunately it's about the best team now, not five years ago. I wish him well in Ottawa.

 

[The Zapper]

Loved Kelly, exactly the kind of game I can appreciate. This is a good move by Bruins to move on, we need to usher in some youth and speed into the bottom 6. No more fillers: Talbot, Kemp, Gagne, Pandolfo..whoever the veteran is that they invite to camp.

Nash, Acciari, Randell, Ferlin, Czarnik, Griffith, Blidh, even Colby Cave.

I wanna see those guys compete for jobs and see if any can raise their level of play and earn a roster spot.

Nice to see Kelly go back to the Sens too. That is cool!

Blidh is an intriguing option for the forth-line IMO. Far more intriguing than Gagne or Pandolfo, anyway. Man was it frustrating to watch those two take up roster spots.

 

[ODAAT]

Time to move on, long time unapologetic fan of CK, can`t appreciate the contributions he made to the Cup run enough

 

[Krupp]

Farewell to yet another great piece of the 2011 run.

Hopefully he can carve out a niche with Ottawa for the final few years of his career

 

[finchster]

Lot's of respect for Kelly and what he did when he was here. But it was time for us to move on.

 

[Oates2Neely]

It wasn't his fault Chiarelli overpaid him in cap hit & term. It wasn't his fault Julien played him too often in in situations he shouldn't have. Good luck in Ottawa

 

[GloveSave1]

DS does some crazy stuff...but re-signing Kelly would have really surprised me.

Just too much to believe.

Super psyced we can put this behind us. Thanks for the good times, Chris. You helped make a dream come true.

Now, if we could just move on from Hayes. A guy can dream.

 

[toasterjam]

Blidh is an intriguing option for the forth-line IMO. Far more intriguing than Gagne or Pandolfo, anyway. Man was it frustrating to watch those two take up roster spots.

Yea I've seen Blidh live a handful of times in Providence and he has always stood out. He is a major pest, a great speedy forecheck, hits everything.

The last game I saw him, he actually got hurt half way through the game on a hit and didn't come back.

Who knows how much offense he can bring, but I love the energy. He makes lots of D-man nervous with his forecheck, resulting in some poor passes and turnovers.

Excited to see what he can bring.

 

[Dellstrom]

Very glad to hear he's getting another shot, and where he started in Ottawa.

Thanks for all the memories, Cage! All the best!

 

[radmcfad]

Upon hearing that Kelly had signed with Ottawa, Coach Julien left the office early complaining of migraine symptoms.

 

[catsmasher]

Someone hide any sharp objects from clode.

Good luck Cage!

 

[Gee Wally]

Chris Kelly, 35, will play again in the National Hockey League, but it won't be with the Bruins.

The Bruins' former alternate captain, well-respected in the dressing room for his fiery leadership, signed on Thursday with his first NHL team, the Ottawa Senators, on a one-year deal for $900,000. B's GM Don Sweeney had expressed interest in re-signing Kelly when he spoke to reporters at the draft, but a deal never materialized. When the B's added bottom-six depth with the signing of Riley Nash, as well as Tim Schaller and Tyler Randell, it seemed as though there was no longer a fit for Kelly. The addition of David Backes, known for his leadership as well, also made Kelly expendable.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...chris_kelly_leaves_bruins_to_return_to_ottawa

 

[caz16]

I wish him all the best. He will help the Sens and it seems the fans are glad to have him. Perfect spot for him.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

Nice, I called this exactly in another thread. He still lives in Ottawa, and their PK was awful. It just makes perfect sense.

Best of luck to the cage, a real warrior for us.

 

[Pia8988]

A part of me was hoping he would be back for 1 more year to beat up Shaw again.

 

[FROMSHORETOCHARA]

Damn good Bruins, leader, checker, bawls. Now a 4th liner and I like acciardi there but will be missed. Took a lot of crap from people who don't know if a puck is made of rubber or chocolate but 3rd line center on championship team. Best wishes!

 

[mikelvl]

Another part of the glue from the '11 and '13 Cup teams gone. A key leader and glue guy along with Boychuk, Thornton. His leadership was vastly underrated by most but it was extremely important. The players on last years team even commented on how much his voice was missed in the locker room after he was hurt. Just check out Marchand's heartfelt tweet from earlier today. This is a bigger loss that most people give credit for but I don't have a problem with it. The skill just isn't there anymore. They needed a vocal leader to go along with Chara and Bergeron who lead by example. That has been missing since Boychuk, Thornton, and now Kelly were ushered out. Backes appears to be the type who will get in a young players face. He led the Blues to the final four last year. That has to mean something. Hopefully, he will be the answer there.

 

[HHHH]

Great guy, great leadership in '11, but I am glad to see him sign with the Sens

 

[TheBigBadB]

Thank god. Great during cup runs but really declined after 2013. Probably signed with Ottawa to retire as one at the end of the season

 

[HumBucker]

Chris Kelly has been medically and physically cleared to play. We all know Sweeney is going to sign him. How much and for how long do you think ?

My guess is 2 years at $2.5 to $3 million annually. More money that WON'T be going to fill REAL needs for the team.

Another bullseye by the Doom Squad.

 

[HumBucker]

Thanks for everything, Kells. Every successful team needs guys like that - vocal leader, rallier, versatile and smart, solid bottom 6 contributor when he was in his prime. All the best in Ottawa.

 

[JOKER 192]

It's a real shame that incompetent **** Chia had to give Kelly to much term and to much $$$ to the point that even fans of his wished him gone. He deserved better. Hope that's what he finds in Ottawa.