Waiting On A Deal

Three days of the 2005 Bruins training camp are in the books and despite what Boston management is preaching, there has been little progress in talks on a new contract for all-star defenseman Nick Boynton.

"I'd say we're closer on Boynton than we are on Raycroft," Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell said recently.

But according to Boynton, the Bruins may have raised their offer, but it's not close enough to where he or his agent Anton Thun feels things should be.

"They moved a little bit on the money but not to where we think it should be," Boynton said when reached by phone last night.

One source yesterday, said the current Bruins offer was $1.7 million. Boynton said Thun told him the Bruins called him yesterday to discuss the situation but there was nothing new to report.

"I know we've talked a bit more but we're not closer," he said.

One thing Boynton does agree with O'Connell on is that no matter what the monetary figure ends up being, the contract will be for one year.

"I think just based on their situation, they can't afford to give me more," he acknowledged. "That's fine with me because I'm not looking for a long term now. I just want to get in camp."

But if he is to return to camp, Boynton wants to paid market value or at least close to it.

"I feel I'm worth a certain amount based on what other players similar to me have been paid and also based on what they've paid their own players," he said. "We're not asking for a crazy deal here, just what I deserve."

Boynton said he has been in touch with teammates and had also contacted head coach Mike Sullivan. But in order to stay in shape and acclimate himself to the NHL rule changes he is practicing with a junior team just outside of Toronto.

"I'm staying in touch with the guys and Coach Sullivan as much as I can but you can't really learn the new rules unless you're on the ice," he said. "So I've been practicing with a junior team because the rule changes go all the way down to juniors and we'll be watching the same demo DVD as the pros do."

When asked if the situation was approaching an impasse or if he might demand a trade, Boynton immediately balked at the topic.

"No, no way!" he exclaimed. "I love Boston. My teammates and the fans, I love them. I want to play there. A trade hasn't even entered my mind. They have a great team and if they sign Razor and me, we can really go far. I think this deal will get done. It is what it is and there are no hard feelings. I just wish it didn't have to be this way."