The Boston Bruins avoided arbitration with Dennis Wideman, announcing on Wednesday a multi-year deal with the defenceman.

The Bruins did not release financial details, but it was reported in Boston sports media as a four-year, $15 million US deal.

As expected, the move put Boston over the salary cap for next season. As a result, veteran forward Glen Murray was placed on unconditional waivers.

After a slow first month to the season, Wideman began to make the most of increased ice time. He finished with 13 goals, nine on the power play, and 23 assists with a plus-11 rating.

Wideman, 25, was acquired by Boston at the 2007 trade deadline from St. Louis in exchange for forward Brad Boyes.

The Kitchener, Ont., native has 27 goals and 58 assists in 223 NHL games with the Blues and Bruins.

Murray's agent, Anton Thun, confirmed to the Boston Herald that his client was a cap casualty,

"He understands the rules of the game and understands the potential for something like this happening and he’ll move on," said Thun.

Murray was hampered by injuries and had his least productive season in a decade last season, finishing with 17 goals and 13 assists in 63 games. He was then held without a single point in seven playoff games.

Boston tried to find takers for Murray at the trade deadline and in recent weeks, but a salary of more than $4 million US was prohibitive.

Murray has 337 career goals and 314 assists in 1,009 career games that include two turns with the Bruins as well as stints with Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

The Halifax native was the 18th overall pick in the 1991 NHL entry draft.

Boston will owe him more than $2.7 million US, spread out over two seasons, if he is not claimed on waivers by another club. Once the waiver period passes, Murray will be free to sign with any club.

Please tell me the Blues have no interest in Murray.