B’s ink prospect Shen
Three-year contract for Russian F
Pavel Shen is coming to North America.
The Russian prospect yesterday signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Bruins and will earn an annual average of $925,000, with an NHL cap hit of $809,167 per season. Likely destined for Providence at first, Shen split the past season between the Kontinental Hockey League, Youth Hockey League (MHL) and Supreme Hockey League (VHL), where he picked up four assists in 38 combined games.
Drafted 212th overall in 2018, Shen has raised his stature more quickly than seventh-round selections normally do. The 19-yearold center made an impact with Russia at the World Junior Championships, tallying three goals in seven games and producing six goals and five assists overall in international competition over the past year.
Shen had a three-year deal in Russia, but successfully sought termination of that deal to come overseas and play for the NHL organization that drafted him.
A left shot, Shen will get a chance to prove himself in Providence and likely will be on the Bruins’ radar as a callup option if he sees some success. Listed at 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, he also was a standout at Bruins development camp this past June.
Known as a playmaker, Shen posted 12 goals and 27 points in 34 games in Russian juniors before he made the leap to the MHL/KHL Tolpar Ufa squad last season.
Bringing him to North America could help accelerate his development long-term, especially after he showed a lot in playmaking and puck possession during development camp. Adjusting to the North American game in the AHL at age 19 can only benefit Shen making the adjustment playing outside of Russia, and could mean the B’s have some confidence in him being a part of the organization.