Truth & Rumors > NHL

Bruins may let Axelsson leave

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P.J. Axelsson has appeared in 797 NHL games. Each of his appearances has come in a Boston uniform, putting him 10th on the franchise's all-time games played list. But it remains to be seen whether Axelsson will add to that total. On July 1, the left wing will become an unrestricted free agent. The Bruins have not decided whether to re-sign the versatile Axelsson, who might be at the end of his stay in Boston. "If it is, it's kind of sad," said Axelsson. "I've been here for a long time. It's the business. I can't really say too much because I don't know." Axelsson scored 103 goals and had 184 assists for 287 career points. In 2008-09, Axelsson put up a 6-24--30 line in 75 games, a career high in assists in a season. Coach Claude Julien used Axelsson on every line and in every situation, including the power play before Mark Recchi was acquired at the trade deadline. Axelsson was one of four alternate captains. "We've got some decisions to make as far as signings with amounts, term, and how that impacts future years under the cap," said general manager Peter Chiarelli when asked about bringing back Axelsson, Recchi, or Stephane Yelle.

Boston Globe

P.J. Axelsson, AP P.J. Axelsson, AP
May 20, 2009  08:06 AM ET

Money issue? I hate to see guys like this forced to move on over money (I can't blame anyone for taking the money), would prefer to see him finish it out with his only team.

May 20, 2009  08:38 AM ET

The Boston Tea Party is underway since they signed Thomas to his contract. The only real question for Axelsson to answer...is should he pack cotton or flannel "PJ's"!

May 20, 2009  08:51 AM ET

Brutal, Baun-ded, feel shame, haha.

But this will surely come down to money. If PJ wants to stay, he'll have to take a haircut. Its not like the demand out there is going to drive his price up a ton, so I don't think he'll have to take a ton less to stay with the Bruins, but its a matter of if he wants to remain a Bruin for the rest of his career or if he wants to max out the final contract of hs career.

May 20, 2009  09:15 AM ET

Completely expendable.

May 20, 2009  09:50 AM ET

The Bs have far better players to sign than PJ.

May 20, 2009  11:35 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

Completely expendable.

I am not so sure about that. I doubt they resign Mark Recchi. So they will still need a powerplay specialist.

May 20, 2009  11:56 AM ET

If not keeping PJ means they can keep recchi then I say go for it. It would be tough to see him go though.

On a side note I the most important person i think the Bruins need to sign is Peter Chiarelli who is coming up on the final year of his contract.

May 20, 2009  12:14 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

If not keeping PJ means they can keep recchi then I say go for it. It would be tough to see him go though.

Recchi is 41, Axelson 34. No way you sign Recchi over him. The Reckin Ball is a great Playoff add on, but not so much during the regular season.

Comment #9 has been removed
May 20, 2009  07:11 PM ET

i like pj hes a good pk but he cant score for ****

hes a great 4th liner but he prob cost too mutch

May 20, 2009  08:50 PM ET

I just don't think that the B's need this role anymore.

Under Julian's system and with the buy-in he has from the players I think there are young guys ready to assume PJ's various responsibilities.

I don't think there is any need or reason to dis him; he is what he is and always has been and he has done whatever he has been asked to do and done it to the best of his abilities. (OK, sure, when PJ goes in on that breakaway it is a good time to do a quick check on the Red Sox.) PJ has superior PK skills but others can now do it with less inate skill perhaps but with good coaching and hard work. PJ can fill any hole when someone goes down but now there are others (including Providence Bruins) who can plug into the SYSTEM.

I think PJ has been wonderful to have on our team over the years and deserves a lot of love from Bruins fans but teams change and nothing lasts forever.

If he can find another team that needs this role that he is so good at great for him and lucky for them but I think the B's have developed beyond that. It would be sad to see his tenure end but it may be what is needed for the ongoing development of this team.

May 21, 2009  05:57 AM ET

The least of their problems, its Krejci @ Kessell they need to tie up and thats gonna be a huge cap hit, they could actually lose Kessell, they will not let Krejci go no way, someone is a goner it could be Sturm, Bergy, tough personell problems but I'm sure every team is gonna have these problems with the hard cap.

May 21, 2009  07:54 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

I am not so sure about that. I doubt they resign Mark Recchi. So they will still need a powerplay specialist.

Power play specialist? Are you kidding? PJ is a good guy, but he's got zero offensive skill. He and Yelle are basically the same player. Keep one or the other and try to get a little bigger up front.

May 21, 2009  07:56 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

The least of their problems, its Krejci @ Kessell they need to tie up and thats gonna be a huge cap hit, they could actually lose Kessell, they will not let Krejci go no way, someone is a goner it could be Sturm, Bergy, tough personell problems but I'm sure every team is gonna have these problems with the hard cap.

I agree. Of the two, Krejci is the keeper. I'd love to see them keep both guys, but if one has to go, it's gotta be Kessel who walks.

May 22, 2009  01:35 PM ET
QUOTE:

I'd rather Boston try to trade Bergeron or Sturm. Or both. We need both Krejci and Kessel...even though Kessel may be the next Tim Connelly.

Maybe Sturm but not Bergie - I still believe that Bergeron is going to make it all the way back and be a point-a-game player for the B's. Fan Favorite as well. Sturm can take a long walk on a short pier as far as I am concerned.

 
May 27, 2009  06:04 PM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Maybe Sturm but not Bergie - I still believe that Bergeron is going to make it all the way back and be a point-a-game player for the B's. Fan Favorite as well. Sturm can take a long walk on a short pier as far as I am concerned.

I dont know what the B's should do, they are screwed everywhere they go.

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