Chiarelli ponders next move

SUNRISE, Fla. -- GM Peter Chiarelli, who traveled from Naples yesterday, attended the morning skate at BankAtlantic Center as he considers his next course of action leading up to Tuesday's 3 p.m. deadline.

"I would say that if we want, the chances of us getting a top-six forward are no longer slim," 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."

Chiarelli said that talks are slow right now compared to last year's GM meetings, where managers were putting things in play leading up to the deadline. However, it's believed that if the high-profile names are moved, it could trigger the next round of deals.

As the market stands right now, GMs with big-name forwards to spare are looking for the following package: a young NHLer, a pick, and a prospect. The Bruins must decide whether they are willing to part with their youngsters -- Phil Kessel, Tuukka Rask, Milan Lucic, Matt Lashoff, and Zach Hamill being the most sought-after names -- to gain some experience up front.

* Chiarelli said his needs are different this year compared to last year, when his first priority was to move Brad Stuart. Once he made the trade with Calgary for Andrew Ference and Chuck Kobasew (a serious theft, in hindsight), Chiarelli needed another puck-moving defenseman to replace Stuart, which led to Brad Boyes being swapped for Dennis Wideman.

* Chiarelli said that while Manny Fernandez is progressing well, the goalie's $4.33 million annual salary is still in play for this year if the Bruins want to use the long-term injury exception. If the Bruins take on a significant salary this season, Chiarelli said he'd had to juggle a few things, but has the space to take on a big contract.