SUNRISE, Fla. - As Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli considers his next move before Tuesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, he emerged from the GM meetings in Naples, Fla., this week with a better picture of what he'd need to relinquish if he wants to upgrade his attack.
"I would say that if we want, the chances of us getting a top-six forward are no longer slim. They're a little better now," said Chiarelli. "You get more certainty about what they want. Prices are still high. But before, you had no clue. Teams weren't willing to even discuss concepts."
Last February, Chiarelli's top priority was to move Brad Stuart, who wasn't expected to re-sign with the Bruins. Chiarelli hoped to wait until closer to the deadline, but with Stuart's game and value dropping rapidly, the GM made the deal with Calgary Feb. 10 for Andrew Ference and Chuck Kobasew, throwing Wayne Primeau into the package. Then, on Feb. 27, needing a puck-moving defenseman to replace Stuart, Chiarelli landed Dennis Wideman from St. Louis for Brad Boyes.
The Bruins, who have 160 goals, the third fewest in the Eastern Conference, need additional up-front punch as they fight for a playoff spot. The top prize is Atlanta sniper Marian Hossa (26-27 -53 in 58 games), who will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and is not expected to re-sign with the Thrashers, making him all but a certainty to be dealt.
Chiarelli said he has some options if he takes on a significant contract before the deadline. While Manny Fernandez is progressing in his rehabilitation following knee surgery, Chiarelli said he could exercise a long-term injury exception to clear the rest of the goalie's $4.33 million annual salary from this year's books. Chiarelli could do the same with Patrice Bergeron - a long shot to return this season - and his $4.75 million salary, although the Bruins have yet to determine if he will be shut down for the year.
The package appears to be the same for any club desiring Hossa and Toronto captain Mats Sundin, the two most significant players on the market: a young NHLer, a prospect, and a first-round pick - not veterans who have bigger contracts.
"It's natural. I'd ask for other guys' young guys, too," said Chiarelli. "In this business now, the ability to control the bottom half of your roster with cheaper players is paramount. So if you can get younger, cheaper players, you're killing two birds with one stone. They're at a premium."
So if the Bruins want a top-six forward (other possibilities include Calgary's Alex Tanguay, Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal, and Edmonton's Jarret Stoll), other GMs might include Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Tuukka Rask, Matt Lashoff, and Zach Hamill on their wish lists.
However, Chiarelli prefers not to give up his youngsters.
Instead, if the Bruins make the playoffs, Chiarelli believes postseason experience would fast-track their development.
"If we can improve our team without sacrificing the youth - and I recognize you've got to trade an asset to get an asset - I'll do it," said Chiarelli.
Chistov waived
The Bruins placed Stanislav Chistov on waivers, the first step toward reintroducing the 24-year-old to North American hockey.Chistov, acquired from Anaheim last season, bolted the Bruins in the offseason and signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Russian Super League. Chistov, the No. 5 overall pick of the 2001 draft, was suspended by the Bruins. Earlier this month, Chistov was cut by his Russian team.
If Chistov clears waivers by noon today (Chiarelli didn't think he'd be claimed), the winger will head to Providence. However, Chiarelli must go through a hearing with AHL executives for Chistov to be cleared for action. Because Chistov played in Europe after Dec. 15, which Chiarelli explained is a cutoff date established by the AHL, there is a chance the league could deny his return.
Chiarelli said although there is no room for Chistov with the big club this season, he wants to give the skilled winger another look. Chistov will still be under Boston's control, as he will be a restricted free agent after this season. Chistov would have earned $800,000 in the NHL this season, but most likely made more than $1 million in the Russian League.
Chistov scored 13 points in 60 games last season while battling a knee injury. He underwent ACL surgery last April.
Bad break for Lucic
At 15:45 of the second period, Florida defenseman Cory Murphy clipped Lucic with a high stick, breaking the rookie's nose again. Lucic originally broke his nose Jan. 12 against Philadelphia. Murphy was called only for a minor, according to Lucic, because he was cut inside his nose. As he made his way to the bench, Lucic left a trail of blood . . . After the game, Lucic awarded the team's hard hat to Marco Sturm for his goal, assist, and shootout score . . . A number of teams have inquired about Aaron Ward, who will enter UFA status after the season. But Chiarelli has told them Ward is not available. The Bruins remain interested in re-signing Ward, and if he's retained, the guess is that he agrees to a one-year deal . . . Peter Schaefer (shin) missed his seventh straight game. Petteri Nokelainen, mostly recovered from flu-like symptoms, sat out for the second straight night.
