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Wednesday 22 February 2012

Champions on the move

After winning the Stanley Cup and having most of their team return this season, the Bruins were expected to do well again this season and perhaps repeat as the Stanley Cup champions. The Bruins haven't been playing their best hockey over the last month, going 4-6-0 in the last 10 games. But it doesn't mean the Bruins need to panic and start trading their players, heck they're still in second place in the east and have Tim Thomas backing them up between the pipes so there is no need to panic.

So who would the Bruins be willing to trade;
Joe Corvo
Despite Corvo being a long serving veteran his play in his own end has been horrible this season. He also has not been able to get any real chemistry going on Defence as he doesn't mix well with the Bruins defence system. But if the Bruins are unable to get anything decent for Corvo they will likely let him walk in June.

Tukka Rask
Rask is one of the players you include on the list, but with an asterisk. I strongly believe that the Bruins will NOT trade Rask. He is the future of their club and ready to be a number one goaltender, when Thomas i gone. The only way the Bruins would even think of parting with their future tender, is if they get a superstar player in return; Rick Nash. But the Bruins are likely keeping Rask who could find himself as the starting goalie as early as next season.

Tim Thomas
Like it or not Thomas screwed up the Bruins chemistry when he skipped out on the White House visit. After the incident, the Bruins went 3-5 and I believe the dressing room got messed up. There is no question Thomas is a great goalie; a two time Vezina winner and a Conn Smythe trophy winner, but the Bruins don't necessarily need him. Rask is more than ready to take the starting job and run with it. Thomas won't be gone before the February 27th deadline, but if the Bruins don't make it to the Eastern Conference championships this postseason, they will likely look for other options for Thomas; a trade, a buy out or make him the backup.

But in all seriousness, there really aren't many players that the Bruins are willing to trade at the moment.
Horton and Peverly are hurt, Seguin is too valuable, you don't want to start trading star prospects like Dougie Hamilton without seeing them. So it's a catch 22 for the Bruins, they need some help with scoring and perhaps a little extra help on the back end but making a trade and messing with chemistry is risky.

Milan Lucic and David Krejci are a couple of names being thrown around for some minor deals, but it's looking like the Bruins won't rely on any trades to jump start their roster and make a push for a second championship.

Some players the Bruins are looking to acquire.
They are looking for a veteran forward and have three players they are looking at; Ray Whitney, Mike Knuble and Tuomo Ruutu. The Bruins who have been scoring in bunches this season, have seen that scoring power dry up. They need some help with the offence and a seasoned veteran to help calm the young rookies. The best fit for the Bruins is Ray Whitney, he is a veteran that can score and play on the top line. He can also add some much needed leadership to this young Bruins team.
Whitney is a free agent at the end of the season, and could net the Coyotee's a solid return player or some prospects.
Mike Knuble would also help add a veteran presence for the Bruins. He has also been a member of the Bruins in the past, and is on the outs in Washington.

Rick Nash
The Bruins have shown some interest in acquire Rick Nash, heck who hasn't?
But what the Blue Jackets want in a goaltender, the Bruins got one in Rask but it is unlikely they are willing to part with him. Let's say the Bruins somehow got around the goalie thing, they'd still have to give up some combo of players including; Tyler Seguin, Dougie Hamilton, Milan Lucic or Adam McQuaid players the Bruins would prefer to keep.

The Bruins need a veteran presence preferably a forward, as all their top 6 forwards are under the age of 26. They are a fantastic hockey team no doubt, but they need the older guy in the room to help calm down the young kids. When things go bad they really go bad which is where teams with veterans benefit as the veterans calm everyone down. With the injuries to Horton and Peverly the Bruins need to make a move, but it is uncertain who the Bruins are heavily pursuing.

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