Joe McDonald, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Bruins don't make waves at deadline

Boston Bruins

BOSTON -- Without making a massive splash at the trade deadline, Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli made it clear to his players that he believes this team can earn a playoff spot and potentially have a long postseason run.

In deals that won't impress many fans, Chiarelli added depth, experience and prospects to the organization Monday.

The Bruins traded forward Jordan Caron and the team's 2016 sixth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forwards Maxime Talbot and Paul Carey. Boston also acquired prospect Brett Connolly from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a pair of second-round picks in 2015 and 2016, and in a third deal, the Bruins added forward Zack Phillips from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Jared Knight.

Chiarelli had been busy in the weeks leading up to the deadline and made some roster moves that gave him an estimated $6 million in salary-cap flexibility, placing forward David Krejci and defenseman Kevan Miller on long-term injury reserve.

Since Chiarelli didn't use that available space, Krejci can return prior to the end of the regular season instead of waiting until the playoffs.

Chiarelli and the Bruins were runners-up in deals for forwards Antoine Vermette, Erik Cole and Curtis Glencross. Overall, Chiarelli did not accomplish everything he wanted, but the Bruins remain a playoff contender.

Chiarelli wanted to add to the current core and not subtract from what the organization has built. Connolly fits that mold, but giving up a pair of second-round picks is a bit steep. Connolly must make an impact this season and beyond. There is a lot of upside to his acquisition. Chiarelli will need to restock those draft picks in future moves.

Talbot arrives in Boston with big-game experience. He's not quite the point-producing forward the Bruins needed, or a physical-style defenseman for added depth. Talbot will serve as a bottom-six forward and will help the team's penalty-killing unit.

Whether Bruins fans want to believe it or not, lacking the presence of Shawn Thornton, Jarome Iginla and Johnny Boychuk in the locker room has affected the team's production this season.

"Sometimes having new blood and new guys [help]. I'm just going to be myself around the boys and I'm just excited to be here," Talbot said. "It's nothing different from the other teams. I'm going to bring my all every night and practice hard for the boys

"I don't know how I'm going to fit in, but I'm usually pretty easy to get along with so I'm just excited to meet all the other guys and be part of this team."

Talbot, an 11-year veteran and Stanley Cup winner (Pittsburgh Penguins), is described as having an infectious personality. He will add another veteran presence that the Bruins need in the room.

"He competes hard," a Western Conference coach said. "He's been through a lot of battles. He will be a good depth forward for the Bruins and his experience will help as they push for a playoff spot. He finishes his checks and stirs the pot. He's a real good pro."

Talbot's arrival allows Chris Kelly to return to the third line along with Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. That trio has been one of the most consistent lines for the Bruins this season.

With fourth-line center Gregory Campbell sidelined with an upper-body injury, Talbot's presence will help in case Campbell is out longer than expected. However, Chiarelli said Campbell is close to returning and that Talbot's acquisition had nothing to do with Campbell's injury.

Speaking of the fourth line, the Bruins have learned in the past that having productive bottom-six forwards is critical to their success. Boston now has the resources to have a better fourth line.

Adding Talbot and Connolly is better than having Caron and Craig Cunningham.

Connolly is not a rental and has a lot of upside. He's a right-handed shot and seems like he will be a solid fit with his size, speed and maturing hockey sense.

The Bruins did lose prospect Cunningham on waivers. The Bruins placed the 24-year-old forward on waivers Saturday to free up a little more cap space in an attempt to pull off a deal that Chiarelli said never came to fruition. In 32 games this season, Cunningham recorded two goals and one assist for three points.

Despite not landing some of his targets, Chiarelli is pleased with the end result of the deadline deals.

The Chris Stewart-to-Boston talk began last summer. In the waning minutes of the Monday's deadline, the Wild landed Stewart for a second-round pick in 2017. Buffalo also retains half of his salary.

The Bruins also were involved in Vermette talks with the Coyotes, but the Chicago Blackhawks acquired him for defenseman Klas Dahlbeck and a 2015 first-round pick. Chiarelli said he would not part with his first-round pick.

The Bruins also were in on Cole and Glencross, who went to Detroit and Washington, respectively.

Chiarelli also dipped into the defenseman market but was more comfortable sticking with his current depth on the blue line. Chiarelli admitted he also thought about acquiring a backup goaltender.

Now that the deadline has passed, many continue to wonder whether Chiarelli and Julien both could lose their jobs if the Bruins fail to reach the playoffs or lose in the first round. The Bruins have enough talent and experience to be a dangerous team in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Due to extensive injuries to key players, Chiarelli and Julien should receive a stay of execution if the Bruins falter.

You can blame Chiarelli for a lot of things (particularly the Johnny Boychuk trade prior to the season) but the fact of the matter is he couldn't fill every void at the deadline and decided to put his trust, and his job security, in the hands of the roster he's built.

Monday's underwhelming trade deadline for the Bruins could be a major morale booster for the players. As corny as that sounds, the players believe it, and that's all that matters to Chiarelli. If this fails, many will want an upper-management overhaul, which will not happen.

"We tried to improve the team. We feel we've improved the team and we hope for a good run coming up," Chiarelli said.

^ Back to Top ^