Bergeron agreed to a five-year contract worth $23.75 million, with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million. Bergeron will make $3 million in 2006-07, $5 million in years two through four, and $5.75 million in 2010-11. Bergeron earned $646,000 in 2005-06.
Had another club presented Bergeron with an offer sheet at similar numbers to nab the restricted free agent, the Bruins would have gained two first-round picks, one second-round pick, and one third-round pick in compensation if they decided not to match.
``He's happy," said Bergeron's agent, Kent Hughes. ``He's content to have this behind him and focus on the season."
In terms of average annual salary, Bergeron's deal trumps the one signed July 1 by 21-year-old Carolina center Eric Staal, who helped the Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup. Staal, who had 45 goals and 55 assists in 82 games last season, signed a three-year contract worth $4.5 million per year.
Staal, however, still will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of his contract. In contrast, Bergeron's agreement buys into one season of unrestricted free agency, a year that undoubtedly padded his deal. Bergeron's contract was also framed by the team's offseason signing of Marc Savard (four years, $20 million), who is projected to be the club's No. 2 centerman.
Bergeron, nearly nine months younger than Staal, hasn't yet hit the 100-point mark already reached by Carolina's No. 1 pivot last season. But based on the deal, the Bruins are projecting Bergeron (the team's leading scorer last season with 31 goals and 42 assists) as a franchise center whose production, especially toward the tail end of the contract, will be well worth the coin.
In average annual salary, Bergeron's deal also outpaces the contract signed by 22-year-old Edmonton forward Ales Hemsky, who signed July 25 for six years at $4.1 million per season. Hemsky had 19 goals and 58 assists in 81 games last year, 4 more points than Bergeron.
