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Updated Jun 29, 2009 7:30 PM ET
     
 
MONTREAL - With the long and often tedious NHL draft process behind him, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli headed to his hometown of Ottawa on Saturday for a very brief respite. While it surely was nice to get away, you can bet there were a lot of things rattling around in Chiarelli's head with the free agency period set to begin Wednesday. The Bruins are bumping up against the $56.8 million salary cap and aren't expected to be big players in the market, but they've got their own issues to work out as the 30 NHL teams plan for a cloudy economic future moving forward. While the cap went up slightly for 2009-10, it's expected to come down the next season and no one wants to be stuck with overpriced goods. That was one reason Chiarelli believed that, although there was a lot of trade talk over the weekend - including an apparent conversation about Phil Kessel going to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle that fizzled - there wasn't all that much action. Chris Pronger was moved to Philadelphia for a mammoth package in return, and Jay Bouwmeester's rights were shipped to Calgary, but that was it for big names moving. ``I wasn't surprised. I really think a lot of us general managers are reluctant to dip our toe into the water and that translates into less trades right now,'' said Chiarelli in his wrap-up media session Saturday. ``There's a general conservatism that I feel is because of the uncertainty. You feel the market is going to adjust, so you want to experience that adjustment before you start shuffling. That's the only reason I can think of with there not being any moves. I've talked to a few GMs. That's how they feel and that's how I feel also.'' The big fish on the B's roster remains Kessel, who could be worth anywhere between $4 million and $5 million. If he waits until July 1, Chiarelli could get a better handle on what the young sniper is worth in what he expects will be a corrected market. But he also is running the risk of a team coming in with an offer sheet. The same goes for fellow restricted free agent Matt Hunwick, who would not command as high a salary as Kessel at this stage in his career, but does possess the puck-moving skills coveted in today's NHL. The B's also will have to deal with RFA Byron Bitz. While Chiarelli still has control over those three players beyond July 1, there's a handful of players with whom he won't have the upper hand. Unrestricted free agents Mark Recchi, P.J. Axelsson, Shane Hnidy, Stephane Yelle and Steve Montador all will be able to walk Wednesday. Just which ones he diligently tries to keep remains to be seen. Recchi showed he still has some skill - and a lot of heart - in his short time in Boston. Axelsson never is going to score a lot of goals, that much we know from the Swede's 11 years on Causeway Street, but he still is a very good utility man who can be plugged into several different roles. Hnidy exceeded modest expectations last year and the B's still need a seventh defenseman. Chiarelli has just between $5 million and $6 million to play with. He's got some tough decisions to make. - sconroy@bostonherald.com
Tagged: Mark Recchi, Shane Hnidy, Bruins, Phil Kessel

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