Bruins Sign Future Flyers All-Star To Three-Year Deal

BOSTON—The Bruins agreed to terms Monday with 2005 second-round draft pick Petr Kalus, signing him to a three-year contract that NHL insiders predict will be just long enough for Kalus to evolve into an All-Star-caliber player before his inevitable trade to the perennial playoff contender Philadelphia Flyers. The Czech Republic native will follow former Bruin greats Sergei Samsonov and Joe Thornton in continuing the tradition of Boston players who were traded immediately before their breakout season. “We look forward to obstructing Petr’s development during his three frustrating years in Boston, although we certainly dread watching his much better career after he blossoms into the Flyers’ top point scorer,” Bruins interim GM Jeff Gorton said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him score 30 goals in a season, many of them against us.” Over his three years in Boston, Kalus is expected to endure a brief stint in the minors, be called up by the cellar-dwelling Bruins, battle a series of avoidable minor injuries, get traded for two draft picks and a player to be named later to Philadelphia, and begin his run at being named MVP in 2009, 2010, and 2013.