BOSTON (AP) – Bruins center Joe Thornton and defenseman Sergei Gonchar both filed for salary arbitration, guaranteeing that they’ll be with Boston next season.

J.P. Barry, the agent for both players, told the Boston Herald that Thornton, the team captain, had been hoping to negotiate a long-term deal with Boston, but decided an agreement was unlikely and filed for arbitration just before Thursday’s midnight deadline.

The cases could significantly inflate the team’s payroll, depending on what the arbitrator decides are fair salaries. The Bruins have been trying to keep their payroll down in anticipation of a possible salary cap.

Bruins general manager Mike O’Connell said he welcomed the filings.

“Whoever files, it’s great,” O’Connell said. “We’ll get them signed. It’s part of the process.”

With Thornton, the Bruins have the right to make the arbitrator’s decision a two-year contract, though they must proclaim their intent to do so before the hearing. O’Connell said he would consider that option.

Gonchar, the league’s leading scorer among defensemen last season, can only receive a one year deal because he’s a year away from unrestricted free agency under the current collective bargaining agreement.

All the league’s arbitration hearings will take place over the first two weeks in August.