Eriksson pleased to remain with Bruins after 'stressful' deadline

After Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney decided to hold on to winger Loui Eriksson at the NHL trade deadline, the two sides are in a position - at least in theory - to negotiate a long-term agreement to keep the nine-year veteran with the organization.

Eriksson said Tuesday he's happy to still be with the Bruins and that a contract extension is certainly possible.

"It's definitely nice to be still here," Eriksson said, according to Matt Kalman of NHL.com. "It was kind of a stressful day (Monday) and not really knowing what's going to happen. I'm just happy to be here. It's a lot easier for me and my family to stay here and finish the season and try to make this team make the (Stanley Cup) playoffs and be a good team. So I'm really happy to be still here."

Added Eriksson, "Now we have some more time to negotiate and maybe get something done and like I said, all I can do now is just to play games and try to win games and help this team."

The 30-year-old is in the midst of a productive season for the Bruins, with 23 goals and 28 points through 63 games. Those numbers, however, are boosting his bid to secure a big-money contract, something the Bruins seem unwilling to commit to at this point.