Boston Bruins Sign Tommy Cross To One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins have re-signed a depth option, signing Tommy Cross to a one-year, two-way contract worth the league minimum of $650K in the NHL. Cross was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but the Providence Bruins captain will be back for at least one more season.

Cross has developed into a defensive rock for the P-Bruins, providing excellent play at both ends of the rink in the AHL. He also jumped into the Boston lineup for a playoff game this spring when the Bruins’ defensive group was devastated by injury. The 27-year old registered 35 points this season in the minors, his second as the captain of the team. The former second-round pick hasn’t quite lived up to the hype coming out of Boston College, but still has a chance to make an impact at some point at least in a part-time NHL role.

For the Bruins, players like Cross are extremely important given the uncertainty on their blueline for next season. With young players, injury risks and aging veterans, they could easily be put into a position like they were in the playoffs. A similar decision will have to be made on Joe Morrow, who is a restricted free agent this summer but hasn’t developed into the defenseman he was projected as when the Pittsburgh Penguins selected him in the first round. Morrow played just 17 games for the Bruins this season, but could be a valuable depth option if they can get him under contract.