Wild Extend Bouchard, Bruins Buy Out Murray

The Minnesota Wild have avoided an arbitration hearing with right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard by signing him to a five year, $20.4 million contract. A 2002 first round draft pick, Bouchard is the Wild's second all time leading scorer behind only Marian Gaborik. The diminutive forward has had some trouble with being a consistent scorer, but at only age 24 Minnesota feels he can still improve his game.

Heading east, the Boston Bruins completed their buyout of veteran right wing Glen Murray. The B's would have owed the seven time 20+ goal scorer $4.15 million in 2008-09, but instead chose to sever their ties with the 35 year old. Murray is now an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign with any team he wants to.