The Boston Bruins have signed former Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey. The deal is reported at 5 years $19 million.
The Ducks final offer to Beleskey was a 4 year $16 million dollar deal paying him $4 million per year. It was thought that Beleskey rejected this offer almost immediately due to the presumption that he could get more in free agency. Well, Boston’s deal is one year longer in term, but it pays Beleskey $3.8 million per year, less than the Ducks final offer.
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Beleskey just took less money annually to join a franchise that is in complete chaos. I understand that Boston’s offer was more guaranteed money at 5 years and also included a no movement clause, but we now know that if Beleskey had taken that final offer from the Ducks, he would have left only $3 million dollars on the table.
This is either a “I’m better than you and I’m moving on”slap in the face to Bob Murray and the Ducks, or it is the potential worst decision Matt Beleskey has ever made.
By re-signing with Anaheim Beleksey was still getting his money while competing to win a cup for the next 5 plus years. He is now part of a Boston team that looks to be a lock to be a bubble team next season. By the time Beleskey’s deal with Boston ends, they may just be getting back to being a real contender. Can we assume that Beleskey values a ring at less than $3 million dollars?
Boston does have some good young players like Torey Krug and Brad Marchand, but there is no question that the Ducks will be the better team for the next 5 years.
Maybe Matt did not want to play for any of the other 3 teams that were reportedly in the mix today, but it is quite possible that Beleskey now wishes he would have taken that final offer from Bob Murray.
The good news for Ducks fans, the $16 million that the Ducks saved by letting Beleskey walk is getting put to good use. $8 million has been given to Kevin Bieksa with his 2 year extension and the rest is now going to help the Ducks re-sign Hagelin and Silfverberg while also helping Bob Murray get extensions done for Kesler and Lindholm. Another financial win for Murray and the Ducks.
To Recap…
Matt Beleskey chose to pocket an extra year of guaranteed money and an extra $3 million dollars to join a team trending in the wrong direction, greed at it’s finest. Good luck to you Matt, the image of your Bobby Orr overtime goal against Chicago will always be in the memory banks of Ducks fans.