This won't hurt Boston sonce they have already added 4 defensemen already this offseason.

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins apparently were not happy with arbitrator Edwin H. Benn's decision regarding David Tanabe.

Two days after Benn awarded Tanabe a one-year, $1.275 million contract, the Bruins on Saturday elected not to sign the defenseman, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Tanabe, who made $950,000 last season, was acquired from Phoenix on November 11. He recorded four goals and 16 points in 54 games with the Bruins after notching four assists in 21 contests with the Coyotes.

The 26-year-old Tanabe was expendable after the numerous offseason additions to the blue line made by the Bruins, who have added defensemen Zdeno Chara, Paul Mara, Jason York and Wade Brookbank this summer.

"This is one of the difficult decisions that must be made while managing a salary cap," Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "We have made two significant additions to our defensive corps this offseason and we are very comfortable with the depth we have at that position."

Drafted 16th overall by Carolina in 1999, Tanabe has appeared in 371 career games with the Hurricanes, Coyotes and Bruins, collecting 24 goals, 70 assists and 193 penalty minutes.