Khristich Made A Free Agent

The Boston Bruins decided Tuesday to let forward Dmitri Khristich become a free agent rather than pay the $2.8 million that an arbitrator set as his salary.

"We strongly disagree with the arbitrator's assessment that Dmitri is a $2.8 million player," Bruins general manager Harry Sinden said.

Sinden said the team offered Khristich a contract at last year's salary of $1.95 million. Khristich reportedly asked the arbitrator for $3.5 million.

In exercising their "walkaway" rights, the Bruins retained the right of first refusal for any contract Khristich signs that is less than 80 percent of the $2.8 million arbitration award, Sinden said.

The 30-year-old left wing from Kiev, Ukraine, scored 29 goals and had 41 assists last season. In a nine-year NHL career, he has scored 225 goals with 282 assists for a total of 507 points.

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