The Boston Bruins have signed Mike Callahan to a two-year entry-level contract, one that will start in the 2022-23 season. The deal comes with an NHL cap hit of $883,750 for the former Arizona Coyotes prospect. The Bruins acquired Callahan’s rights last month for a seventh-round pick, suggesting that either Arizona had decided they wouldn’t sign him by this summer’s deadline, or that Callahan himself had indicated that he wouldn’t be signing with them.
Callahan, 22, is coming off four years at Providence College, meaning he won’t have much of a commute to his next team. Born in Franklin, Massachusetts, he’ll certainly be familiar with both the NHL Bruins and the Providence Bruins, where he’ll likely start his professional career. Serving as the captain in three of four years, Callahan recorded 66 points in a 138-game NCAA career.
The Bruins, rumored to be in the mix for several trade deadline targets, could use an influx of talent from the college ranks, especially on defense. While Callahan still has a long way to go before he is an NHL contributor, the first step is now behind him, and he has a two-year deal to show he has what it takes to climb the organizational ladder. With time still remaining in the AHL season, a tryout contract could get him into the Providence lineup before long.