Claude Julien, Bruins Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Claude Julien and the Boston Bruins have agreed to a three-year contract extension. Elliotte Friedman of CBC tweeted the news:

Terms have not been disclosed, but the Bruins confirmed the deal in a release on the team website on Sunday.

General manager Pete Chiarelli spoke about the deal for Julien in the release:

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'This morning, Claude and I finalized the terms of a multi-year contract extension agreement for him. We have worked at this for a few months, but there was never any doubt in my mind that this would get done. Claude is one of the top coaches in the NHL and has consistently shown a passion for winning through his coaching. Coaching is a difficult profession at the best of times and what Claude does in implementing structure in his systems, and having a solid defensive foundation while allowing freedom in offensive play is no easy task. During his time with the Bruins, he has excelled in maintaining this difficult balance, and his longevity here speaks volumes. He has coached the Bruins to a Stanley Cup and a Cup Final appearance and our goal to win with him at the helm remains the same as we move forward.'

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The 54-year-old Julien has led the Bruins to seven straight postseason appearances, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2011 and the Presidents' Trophy last season.

The signing should come as no surprise. Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs showed his admiration for Julien in early October. Per Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sports News Northeast, Jacobs said: 

“He’s [Julien] been the best – it’s been the best experience I’ve seen from the Bruins. I think he’s a terrific coach and we totally support him. He’s been here, and he’ll be around for quite a while." 

So far this season, Julien and the Bruins are 7-6 and in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

The team has struggled to compete through the first 13 games of the season because of injuries. Top defenseman Zdeno Chara (knee) as well as Torey Krug (finger) and David Krejci (undisclosed) have all missed time due to injuries.

Until the team gets healthy, it will be fortunate to remain near .500. This extension was about the Bruins' long-term future. Julien has brought stability and a consistency the organization hasn't seen since the early 2000s.

If Julien completes the terms of the extension, he'll surpass Milt Schmidt's record for longest uninterrupted tenure as head coach of the team. Julien would trail only the legendary Art Ross for most years spent as the team's head coach.