Hall Gill Signs Qualifying Offer

[Thrillhouse]

BOSTON—The Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Hal Gill, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell. Gill, a restricted free agent, signed his one-year qualifying offer.

"We're pleased that Hal signed his contract," said O'Connell. "Hal is one of our steadiest and most reliable players. He plays a lot of minutes and has been one of our highest ‘plus' players as well over the past couple of NHL seasons."

Gill, 30, has been one of the team's most durable players in his six full seasons with the Bruins, missing just 14 games to injuries over that span. He played in every game in 2003-04 and was second among club defensemen in plus/minus at +16 after leading the team in that category the previous season at +21. He scored two goals and added seven assists for nine points with 99 penalty minutes in 2003-04 while averaging 18:24 of ice time.

The 6'7", 250 lb. native of Concord, Massachusetts was Boston's eighth pick, 207th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He turned pro with the Bruins in 1997 following a four-year career at Providence College where he had 12-33=45 totals and 124 PIM in 131 career college games. He has played in 546 career NHL games, all with the Bruins, with 19 goals and 68 assists for 87 points and 464 penalty minutes in addition to a +45 career plus/minus.

Gill played 31 games for Lukko Rauma in Finland during 2004-05 with 2-8=10 totals and 110 penalty minutes in those contests.

[Sandmachine]

Is this bad news for us Boynton fans?

[8BostonRocker24]

Originally Posted by Sandmachine

Is this bad news for us Boynton fans?

No, this is very good news. I always thought Hal was going to sign a 1 year deal and walk. Boynton is still their #2 goal (Behind Andrew). They still want to sign him to a 3-5 year deal. They have a little over $5.5 million to sign Boynton, Raycroft, and the #6 D-Man.

[doull7]

is this guy ever gonna leave us? jesus

[cashman rules]

[Sandmachine]

Originally Posted by doull7

is this guy ever gonna leave us? jesus

Could be worse.......I think. At least his fights provide a little comic relief

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by 8BostonRocker24

No, this is very good news. I always thought Hal was going to sign a 1 year deal and walk. Boynton is still their #2 goal (Behind Andrew). They still want to sign him to a 3-5 year deal. They have a little over $5.5 million to sign Boynton, Raycroft, and the #6 D-Man.

They need to trade away a 3rd or 4th liner. Axelsson, Fitzgerald, Hilbert. They don't need all this guys. Then it should be no problem to sign Raycroft and Boynton.

[OilersHockey]

Originally Posted by doull7

is this guy ever gonna leave us? jesus

Pound for pound, I think Hal Gill is the worst fighter in the history of the NHL.

I swear Todd Harvey could take him (at less than half his size).

He's almost as useless as Cory Cross (my poor Oilers), but not quite. At least Gill is willing to get his a$$ kicked - Cross won't even do that.

[Bruins0506]

Gill beat the **** out of Barnaby. Thats someone he beat.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by Bruins0506

Gill beat the **** out of Barnaby. Thats someone he beat.

you make that sound like an accomplishment. Gotta say, i'm suprised that barnaby didnt take him.

Big Hal is a terrible fighter, and an alright dman, the only thing he needs to do is find some kind of fighting talent. fight maybe 12-15 times a year and win 6 or so wouldnt be bad, i know thats a far stretch for this sack of sh*t.

[doull7]

id prefer he find out how to play defense first. especially in the neutral zone. always getting burned out there. and he should just give up on evre practicing his breakaways, dont even try to get one if you have the opportunity gill.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by doull7

id prefer he find out how to play defense first. especially in the neutral zone. always getting burned out there. and he should just give up on evre practicing his breakaways, dont even try to get one if you have the opportunity gill.

hes too damn big and too damn stupid to be good in the neutral zone, his lateral to backward movement is worse than worrells. i know thats hard to believe but a 90 year old grandma with a walker turns faster. hes not bad at clearing out the front of the net though, thats about the only up side to him.

[doull7]

Originally Posted by jkidd

hes not bad at clearing out the front of the net though, thats about the only up side to him.

id rather leave that to boynton

[Sandmachine]

Originally Posted by Ciccarelli

They need to trade away a 3rd or 4th liner. Axelsson, Fitzgerald, Hilbert. They don't need all this guys. Then it should be no problem to sign Raycroft and Boynton.

I like Axelsson. He's pretty reliable, and he's so fast and can anticipate so well on the Penalty Kill. He plays with an edge on occasion (challenged Sean Avery a couple times), and always brings an honest effort in my opinion (and doesn't dive).

Seeing as Hilbert has been requesting a move, it seems like they'll be getting rid of him.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by doull7

id rather leave that to boynton

i would to, but sucks for you because it looks like hal will be doing it now.