I just received a text message from the Bruins saying that Matt Hunwick has signed a multi-year extension:

BRUINS NEWS: Boston Bruins sign defenseman Matt Hunwick to a multi-year contract extension.

And now its official. Here's the statement from bostonbruins.com

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a multi-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Hunwick registered six goals, 21 assists and a plus/minus rating of +15 in 53 games during his rookie season in 2008-09. His 27 points placed him third amongst Bruins defensemen and he scored his first NHL goal on November 17, 2008 against the Maple Leafs. Hunwick played forward in six games last year and posted 1-1-2 totals while skating up front.

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Well I guess that means that Zubov is out of the picture. Looks like we're going to have a defensive corps of

Chara-Wideman
Ward-Ference
Boychuck-Hunwick

Although not in that order most likely. If the cap number is right, Zubov could still come here and Boychuck could be optioned to Providence and used as a 7th defenseman on the roster.

INTEJECTING EDIT!

I was alerted to the fact [THANKS SCOTT] that I completely forgot about Stuart. So it looks like Boychuck will 100% be down in Providence. I would go out on a limb to say the pairings will be:

Chara-Wideman
Ward-Hunwick
Stuart-Ference

Anyways, I like the Hunwick deal despite knowing the actual terms is because Hunwick is the young puck moving defenseman the Bruins need. A guy like Stuart or Ward aren't able to move the puck out of the zone like a Wideman or Hunwick. Also, Hunwick is versatile enough to play a FW position short term, gotta love that.