Iginla, Bruins have held preliminary contract talks

The Boston Herald reports the Bruins and Jarome Iginla have had preliminary talks on a contract extension, but the Bruins won't be in a position to make anything official until July 1.

“It’s a function of cap space and ongoing multiple-year contracts,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said. “So it would have to wait ’til a minute after free agency begins. It’s an anti-inflationary thing. Basically it restricts you from going overboard on your future contracts. It prevents you from spending money you haven’t got.”

Chiarelli likes what he's seen so far from the veteran winger.

“He’s been terrific for us,” Chiarelli said. “He’s a veteran guy, he plays our brand of hockey and he fits in seamlessly with that first line. He’s been everything we thought he’d be — everything and more. I know Loochand Krech look up to him. There’s a good synergy on that line.”

Source: Stephen Harris, Boston Herald