BOSTON -- Facing restricted free agency this offseason for the first time, Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton was mum regarding any contract details during the team’s year-end media availability on Monday.

Asked several questions regarding his next contract or if he wanted to stay in Boston, Hamilton replied to each question by saying he wouldn’t talk about it.

Also asked about the upper-body injury that kept him off the ice for the team’s final 10 games, Hamilton provided no details as to what it was or if he would have been able to return from the injury if the team made the playoffs. He did, however, talk about the frustration he felt sitting out injured while the team eventually played their way toward elimination.

“I think it’s obviously the time of the year that you want to be playing,” Hamilton said. “It’s hard to watch. You’re just trying to cheer for the boys and everything.”

While Hamilton isn’t the team’s only restricted free agent this offseason, he does represent the most intriguing case of the group. Given that he’s still just 21 and coming off a strong year offensively with career-highs in each scoring category (42 points on 10 goals and 32 assists), it will be interesting to see whether the Bruins lock their former first-round pick up long-term (or if they could financially handle doing so).

And while he did show some improvement this season, Hamilton still feels that he needs to improve every element of his game as he starts to prepare for next season.

“It’s crazy how it’s been two and a half years already,” Hamilton said. “Personally, I think I’ve gotten a lot better in every aspect and more comfortable in everything. So it’s exciting to see that growth. Again, for me, I think it’s just trying to get better every year and keep improving and hopefully I can keep doing that.”