By: Lily Zhao
It's that time of year again.
It's the day most NHL players usually dread and most fans usually enjoy.
The NHL trade deadline has finally arrived and the Bruins are on the clock.
The team has until 3 p.m. today to close their business on the trade front. And unless anything drastic changes before then, B's general manager Peter Chiarelli is still looking to fill holes along the forward and defenseman ranks.
He wants a forward who can play on one of the team's top three lines, and a defenseman capable of logging valuable minutes among the backline.
"My motivating factors are, first of all, depth," Chiarelli said. "And then injury, especially to our forwards. Both Nathan (Horton) and (Rich Peverley) remain out, and though we expect both are going to be back, you have to make sure you are covered."
He's right, but Chiarelli just recently added wanting to obtain an impact player as well.
I say good luck.
Yes, he is right in wanting to get that player.
With injuries to Horton (concussion) and Peverley (knee), along with the team's overall lackluster play since the beginning of January--not counting Wednesday night's win--it's crucial for this team to get someone who can be a consistent scorer.
However, with an estimate of $13.2 million under the salary cap and a mediocre, thin market for impact forwards, chances of Chiarelli finding that star player this season look slim.
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"Last year we talked about adding a couple more bodies and chemistry. We were fortunate to get a couple of players that had additional years on their contracts and fit into our two-way system," he said. "We paid a good amount last year to get some players in -- I'm not saying we won't this year -- but (prices are) through the roof."
Along with high prices, another aspect hindering the B's from snatching a power forward are negotiations of trading amongst teams.
The biggest names on the market, Blue Jackets' Rick Nash and Jeff Carter come at a big price because Columbus wants a goaltender in return.
I doubt Chiarelli is ready to let go of 24-year-old goaltender Tuukka Rask.
What would be the most helpful for the team will be to focus on getting a forward for less money that will still have that ability to score goals, and a defenseman that can put in ample time in the backline.
According to ESPN.com, forwards Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers), Milan Hejduk (Colorado Avalanche), Kyle Okposos (New York Islanders) and Sami Pahlsson (Columbus Blue Jackets) seem to be good options for the B's.
Out of all these forwards, I believe Pahlsson would be the best asset for Boston. He's a former Bruin and if he's picked up by the B's, this could allow Chiarelli to move some players around.
On the defensive front, Johnny Oduya (Winnipeg Jets), Jaroslav Spacek (Carolina Hurricanes) and Lubomir Visnovsky (Anaheim Ducks) could help in the backline.
Spacek has the best range for the team. The 38-year-old unrestricted free-agent-to-be, if signed by the B's, could push the depth charts. He plays well on the power play and will add another experienced body to help Dennis Seidenberg and Zdeno Chara, especially after Johnny Boychuk's injury earlier this season.
With Chiarelli looking to change the look of the team, there's good news for current B's players. The GM said he does not intend or want to break up the core of the present team.
"I've been clear in telling people I've talked to that I don't want to move anyone off our roster," Chiarelli said.
Bruins fans rejoice. Bruins players take a deep breath.
Come the end of Manic Monday, we'll see just how this team will look.
The clock is ticking.
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