WILMINGTON, Mass. — As the Bruins' player representative in the NHL Players' Association the past two years, Mark Stuart knows the economic realities of the league better than most.
But when salary cap considerations force the departure of a valued teammate and friend, it can still be difficult to accept.
"It's always tough, you never really get used to it," said Stuart. "You just understand it's part of the game and I think we all kind of expected something, but we didn't really know who it would be. So it's always a surprise when you find out who's gone and where."
The latest player to leave Boston was defenseman Matt Hunwick, who was traded to Colorado for prospect Colby Cohen on Monday, clearing the cap space necessary for the impending activation of Marc Savard from long-term injured reserve.
"It's always tough to see one of your teammates go, especially a guy like Matt," said Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. "He's been such a great teammate and such a great guy in the locker room. We all wish him the best, but that's part of the business."
And this was strictly a business deal. While Hunwick had had his ups and downs over the course of the last four seasons since joining the Bruins organization out of the University of Michigan, he had been playing well of late. He was Boston's best skater on the blue line and added some needed mobility to the back end. And in his final game against Atlanta on Sunday, he even showed a willingness to get involved physically as he tried to spark the Bruins by dropping the gloves with Thrashers' forward Evander Kane.
"It's nothing against Matt's play, obviously," said Stuart. "It was just one of those things that had to be done and unfortunately it was him. I feel bad. He was playing great, but I guess you just have to take it for what it is. It's part of the game, part of the business."
Savard understands that his imminent return forced the club into making a move, and he too expressed regret about Hunwick's departure.
"It's always tough, but in the cap world that's what happens these days," said Savard. "I texted Hunny yesterday and wished him the best and told him he was going to have a great career and sometimes change is for the best. He was happy he was going to get a chance to play in Colorado and sad he was leaving.
"It's always tough," added Savard. "Hunny was a great guy. We all enjoyed him. He was a good hockey player and he's going to go on to have a great career. It's unfortunate to see a guy go like that, but now it gives someone else a chance to play and I think [Adam] McQuaid when he was in there, he's done an excellent job for us, so hopefully he can jump right in there for us."
McQuaid will benefit from Hunwick's leaving, as he will get a chance to play regularly now. But even McQuaid was disappointed to see the popular Hunwick go.
"It is tough," said McQuaid. "He was a great guy, a great teammate. He brought a bit of a different element to the D corps. He was an excellent skater and a power-play guy. He'll get a good opportunity there in Colorado. He'll do well, but he'll be missed here."
