With goalie Manny Fernandez (knee surgery) lost for the season, and the return date for Patrice Bergeron (Grade 3 concussion) still in question, the Bruins are looking to make a deal or two, perhaps among their forward and defensive corps.
One longtime scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said last night at the Garden he believed the Bruins were in talks with Columbus, which will be in town tomorrow night.
The Blue Jackets, who look capable of landing the franchise's first playoff berth, were rumored in the offseason to be trying to move talented Russian winger Nikolai Zherdev, who has a history of being somewhat of a lone ranger on the ice.
However, under the thumb of coach Ken Hitchcock for a second season, Zherdev has been more responsible and effective of late. He was shut out two nights ago against Colorado, but he scored in five straight games before the blanking. In 31 games this season, Zherdev has 12 goals and 24 points. Chuck Kobasew leads the Bruins with 12 goals.
The Bruins also might have their eye on Rostislav Klesla, a 6-foot-3-inch Czech defenseman whom the Blue Jackets selected No. 4 overall in the 2000 draft. Klesla logs about 23 minutes per night, and has gone 3-5 -8 in 31 games this season. Connecticut favorite son Ron Hainsey leads Columbus defensemen in scoring with three goals and 15 points.
Thomas getting closer
Netminder Tim Thomas, sidelined since suffering a groin pull Dec. 5, was among the few Bruins to practice yesterday morning in an optional workout."Getting better every day," said Thomas, who was sidelined last night when Alex Auld got the call in a 3-1 loss to the Devils. "I am well on my way to recovery."
Auld, who had won three straight since his arrival from the Coyotes, was backed up by Tuukka Rask. In the wins, Auld allowed only five goals, turning back 92 shots - for a sizzling .948 save percentage. When Thomas exited the lineup, he had a .936 stop rate.
"The team's been playing very well, which is great," said Thomas. "That's taken the pressure off of me to have to get back right away."
Might the hiatus, now nearly two weeks, be good for Thomas over the long haul, allowing him to rest?
"Only time will tell," he said. "Maybe over the long run it will really help."
Once Thomas is back on the job, coach Claude Julien will figure out a time-share between Auld and Thomas. Rask then will be shipped back to Providence to further his NHL prep work.
As of yesterday, the Bruins ranked seventh in netminding, their stoppers allowing a modest 2.47 goals per game. The Bruins last season gave up 289 goals in 82 games, an average of 3.52.
Bergeron visits
Bergeron, just back from a visit to his home in Quebec City, watched the second and third periods from the ninth floor, in a box adjacent to the club's alumni box. Bergeron said over the weekend he is feeling better and is confident he will return this season after suffering a concussion when he was drilled headfirst into the rear boards by the Flyers' Randy Jones Oct. 27 . . . Despite tired legs, the Bruins didn't roll out their fourth line of Vladimir Sobotka, Jeremy Reich, and Petteri Nokelainen for much duty . . . Defenseman Matt Hunwick was assigned to Providence . . . The Bruins will work out early this morning at Wilmington, then visit area hospitals with gifts in the afternoon . . . The Bruins will play 16 games in 31 days this month and will play 16 across 30 days in March, by far their two busiest months.Sturm returns
Marco Sturm, who also joined the morning skate, was back in uniform after being sidelined one game after being struck around the right eye with a puck while on the bench. He played 17 minutes 29 seconds and landed three shots on net."I have to wear the half-shield," said Sturm. "I don't like it, but when I played during the lockout, I had to wear it. Right now, it bugs me, but when you focus on the game, I won't think about it too much."
Sturm, who scored in four straight games last month, has gone 12 straight without putting a puck in the net. He has gone 0-6 -6 since Nov. 17.
Allen improving
Bobby Allen continues to work his way back from painful back spasms that struck him when the Bruins were in Toronto over the weekend. "With a couple of days of hard skating, I should be good to go," said Allen, who also joined the optional workout. "With good rehab, it won't happen again - I certainly don't want it to turn into a chronic thing." . . . With the snow piling up as of early afternoon, the Bruins slashed prices for the lower-bowl loge seats to $19.50 per ticket. The offer, good for just last night, was a serious rollback on tickets that normally cost $84.50-$101.50 . . . Auld is still wearing the maroon and white leg pads and gloves from his days with the Coyotes.Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at dupont@globe.com.
