NHL Free Agents: Another Bruin Makes His Escape

It's still early days in the 2004 free agent rummage sale. But one thing is clear: the Boston Bruins will be a very different team the next time they take the ice. Center Brian Rolston fled Boston today, signing a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. The Bruins have lost two of their top six forwards in the past week, and more departures are certain. More than any other team, the Bruins seem willing to throw their cards in the air and start anew under the next collective bargaining agreement, whatever it may hold. Or maybe they're just cheap.

Meanwhile, Bruins' captain Joe Thornton is the biggest NHL star yet to make alternate plans for next season. Thornton has signed to play for H.C. Davos of the Swiss Elite League. But he likely won't miss a day of NHL play. He's simply making contingency plans in case the 2004-05 NHL schedule is disrupted by a lockout.

NHL Free Agents: Eastern Conference
NHL Free Agents: Western Conference