Let's Go Shopping? As deadline approaches what's the B's plan?

Well it's getting to be that time of year again; Valentine's Day aka Women's Day but then again what day shouldn't be right? Tax Filing Day (which we all know sucks & is complete BS!) & the NHL Trade Deadline aka "So you in or you out this year? Which for this season at least we find the Bruin's VERY MUCH IN for. Despite this great news and season so far, this years deadline is looking very tricky for the Hub's Boys of Winter as the last thing the B's GM Peter Chiarelli wants to do at this point is screw with the chemistry of his team and having or wanting to move any of the Bruins young talent to do so... Again tricky stuff considering the stakes.

So assuming this to be the case you'd then have to think that any B’s trade target would likely be a strong veteran player in the final year of his contract, someone who still has something to offer as a player and leader - and would not COST much this year and/or would have an impact on what will be a very tight salary cap next season. With restricted free agents David Krejci, Phil Kessel and Matt Hunwick, and unrestricted free agent goalie Tim Thomas (among a few others btw) to sign, Chiarelli already will have to be quite creative to fit his 2009-10 roster under a cap expected to remain at about this season’s $56.7 million.

Among the names that I've seen surface & could fit the B's bill (all are wingers and are set to become unrestricted free agents July 1 btw) are Edmonton’s Erik Cole, who has just 12 goals and 10 assists in 49 games while earning a tidy $4 million, Toronto’s Nik Antropov (15-22-37, $2.05 million) and St. Louis’ Keith Tkachuk aka Mr. Fitz' Nephew (15-17-32, $4 million)

I've heard Chiarelli state in the numerous interviews and articles that I've seen of late that a deal would not need to be for a high-end player, citing moves like the late season pickup's of guys like the Duck's Brad May from the Colorado Av's in 2006-07 as the kind of deal that can "help lift a team over the top without changing it's core" so with this seeming to be Chi's stated goal in mind, perhaps the B's GM should first look to his former club, the Ottawa Senators, where tough guy say Chris Neil ($1.2 million) is set to become a UFA. I know... I can almost hear Kynch's loud groaning and visualize his front shirt pull from here on this one too but even he would have to admit that this would be the type of pick up that would:

A) Come cheap (maybe a mid -late round draft pick at best and

B) would take the "Rough Stuff" burden off guys like Shawn "The Sock-it Rocket" Thornton (like that one btw? if so make sure KingKrej get's the props for it!) & Looch allowing them to actually concentrate on their full games without again changing much of the chemistry that has made this B's team special so far.

I've also read in several different places that within the Bruins dressing room, there is hope and almost a full blown expectation that the B's will not be interested in dealing players off the current roster but in only enhancing what they already have in place, which must be keeping their dressing room loose and focused on the game of hockey without having to deal with the usual "who's coming & who's going" banter that you know happens in every sport around deadline day and which has to be a MAJOR distraction regardless of what anyone says. So with all this in mind I give you the "2009 Unofficial Unrestricted Free Agent List" below to pick apart and discuss amoungst yourselves but as for me, I'd be happy if the B's were able to either: A) Simply do nothing and ride with the strong group they have in place B) Do something minor like acquire Chris Neil/Scott Parker type of player without giving up a Top 20 roster player or C) If the deal is right and plugs a hole, trade away a young someone like a Matt Lashoff, Pettri Nokelainen and/or a Baby B or two in tandem to gain a impact, Top 4 Defensemen... Again here's the list of pending UFA's, have at them and post your comments and ideas - Go Broounze!KingKrej46

Unofficial 2009 NHL UFA List as of 2/1/09

*Anaheim- Beauchemin Francois, Hedican Bret, Huskins Kent, Larsen Brad, Marchant Todd, Moen Travis, Montador Steve, Morrison Brendan, Niedermayer Rob, Niedermayer Scott, Pahlsson Samuel, Parros George

*Atlanta- Havelid, Niclas Hoffman, Mike Perrin, Eric Reasoner, Marty Schneider, Mathieu Williams, Jason

*Boston- Axelsson P.J, Fernandez Manny, Hnidy Shane, Thomas Tim, Yelle Stephane

*Buffalo- Afinogenov Maxim, Connolly Tim, Ellis Matt, Kotalik Ales, Numminen Teppo, Peters Andrew, Spacek Jaroslav

*Carolina- Bayda Ryan, Brookbank Wade, LaCouture Dan, LaRose Chad, Melichar Josef, Ryan Michael, Seidenberg Dennis, Tanabe David

*Calgary- Aucoin Adrian, Bertuzzi Todd, Cammalleri Mike, Lundmark Jamie, Moss David, Roy Andre, Warrener Rhett

*Chicago- Adams Craig, Havlat Martin, Johnson Aaron, Khabibulin Nikolai, Walker Matt

*Columbus- Backman Christian, MacDonald Craig, Malhotra Manny, Norrena Fredrik, Peca Michael, York Mike

*Colorado- Arnason Tyler, Durno Chris, Guite Ben, Laperriere Ian, Leopold Jordan, MacKenzie Aaron, Parker Scott, Raycroft Andrew, Sakic Joe (The King!) Tjarnqvist Daniel, Willsie Brian

*Dallas - Janik Doug, Lehtinen Jere, Lundqvist Joel, Parrish Mark, Sutherby BrianSydor Darryl, Wilson Landon, Zubov Sergei

*Detroit- Chelios Chris, Conklin Ty, Franzen Johan, Hossa Marian, Kopecky Tomas, McCarty Darren, Samuelsson Mikael, Zetterberg, Henrik

*Edmonton- Cole Erik, Garon Mathieu, Roloson Dwayne, Strudwick Jason

*Florida- Anderson Craig, Bouwmeester Jay, Boynton Nick, Cullimore Jassen, Dvorak Radek Murphy Cory, Peltonen Ville, Skrastins Karlis, Sprukts Janis, Zednik Richard

*L.A. Kings- Armstrong Derek, Calder Kyle, Ersberg Erik, Gauthier Denis, O'Donnell Sean

*Minnesota- Backstrom Niklas, Bergeron Marc-Andre, Foster Kurtis, Gaborik Marian, Kolanos Krys, Mojzis Tomas, Schaefer Nolan, Skoula Martin, Veilleux Stephane

*Montreal- Begin Steve, Bouillon Francis, Brisebois Patrice, Dandenault Mathieu, Denis Marc, Koivu Saku, Komisarek Big Pussy Mike, Kostopoulos Tom, Kovalev Bag Job Alexei, Lang Robert Tanguay Alex
*Nashville- Bonk Radek, De Vries Greg, Fiddler Vernon, Koistinen Ville, Nichol Scott, Ortmeyer Jed, Sullivan Steve, Ward Joel, Zanon Greg
*New Jersey- Clemmensen Scott, Gionta Brian, Holik Bobby, Madden John, Oduya Johnny, Rupp Michael, Weekes Kevin
*NY Islanders- Comrie Mike, Danis Yann, Fritz Mitch, Guerin Bill, Hilbert Andy, Jackman Tim, Lee Chris, MacDonald Joey, Pock Thomas, Sillinger Mike, Weight Doug
*NY Rangers- Betts Blair, Kalinin Dmitri, Mara Paul, Orr Colton, Rissmiller Patrick, Valiquette Stephen
*Ottawa- Gerber Martin, Kuba Filip, McAmmond Dean, Neil Chris, Richardson Luke

*Flyers- Alberts Andrew, Biron Martin, Hatcher Derian, Kane Boyd, Knuble Mike, Kukkonen Lasse, Munroe Scott, Niittymaki Antero, Vaananen Ossi

*Coyotes- Klee Ken, McGrattan Brian, Morris Derek, Reinprecht Steve, Tellqvist Mikael
*Penguins- Boucher Philippe, Fedotenko Ruslan, Gill Hal, Minard Chris, Pesonen Janne, Sabourin Dany, Satan Miroslav, Scuderi Rob, Sykora Petr, Taffe Jeff, Zigomanis Mike

*San Jose- Blake Rob, Boucher Brian, Cavanagh Tom, Grier Mike, Roenick Jeremy, Semenov Alexei
*St Louis- Hinote Dan, Legace Manny, McDonald Andy, Tkachuk Keith, Weaver Mike, Winchester Brad
*Tampa Bay- Gratton Chris, Heward Jamie, Koci David, Kolzig Olaf, Malik Marek, Niskala Janne, Pettinger Matt, Recchi Mark, Roberts Gary, Ward Jason
*Maple Leafs- Antropov Nik, Joseph Curtis, May Brad, Moore Dominic, Newbury Kris
*Vancouver- Burrows Alexandre, Davison Rob, Jaffray Jason, Labarbera Jason, Nycholat Lawrence, Ouellet Michel, Pyatt Taylor, Sanford Curtis, Sedin Daniel, Sedin Henrik, Sundin Mats

*Washington- Brashear Donald, Fedorov Sergei, Giroux Alexandre, Helmer Bryan, Johnson Brent, Kozlov Viktor, Mink Graham, Sloan Tyler

B's NewsBlast! - Kess placed on IR as B's Make Five More Transactions

As announced on bostonbruins.com;
Boston, MA - Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Matt Lashoff and goaltender Kevin Regan to the Providence Bruins and recalled goaltender Tuukka Rask and forward Martin St. Pierre from the Providence Bruins on an emergency basis. Additionally, the club has placed forward Phil Kessel on injured reserve (mononucleosis). Rask and St. Pierre are expected to participate in the team's morning skate today and be available for the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the TD Banknorth Garden this evening.

*Rask was recalled on an emergency basis on Saturday, January 10 and served as the team's backup goalie in their 5-1 win over the Hurricanes.Rask has started 30 games this season for Providence and has posted a 17-13-0 record with a 2.42 Goals Against Average and .919 save percentage. His 17 victories are the second most in the AHL.

*St. Pierre has seen action in nine games for Boston this year and recorded 1-2-3 totals. In 32 games with the P-Bruins this season, he registered a 10-28-38 line. The 25-year-old St. Pierre has appeared in 30 NHL games in his career - 21 with Chicago, 9 with Boston - and has tallied two goals and five assists.

*Lashoff has seen action in 13 games for Boston this season, registering one assist, and has played in 18 games for Providence with 4-12-16 totals. He split last season between Boston and Providence and appeared in 18 NHL games, registering 1-4-5 totals and appeared in 60 games for the P-Bruins, tallying 9-27-36 totals.

*Regan was recalled by Boston today, January 12, and participated in the team’s practice this morning at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, MA. A South Boston native, Regan has appeared in 14 games this season for Providence and posted a 6-4-1 record with a 3.33 Goals Against Average and .875 save percentage.

*Of much larger note is that after playing in all 82 regular season games last season, Kessel skated in all 42 games this season and has potted a team-high 24 goals and added 17 assists. His 24 goals rank tied for third in the entire NHL and he owns the longest point streak in the league, having accumulated points in 18 consecutive games from November 13-December 21, 2008. Boston's first round pick (5th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the 21-year-old Kessel has recorded 54-53-107 totals in 194 career NHL games. He had played in 167 straight regular season games, dating back to January 9, 2007.

B's NewsBlast - Kess Named NHL's First Star !

From Bruins.com & the NHL;

Boston, MA -- The NHL announced today that Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel was named NHL’s First Star of the Week for the week ending December 14.Kessel tallied eight points with three goals and five assists in four games last week and extended his point streak to 15 games. Kessel helped lead the Black and Gold to a 3-1-0 record, which improved their Eastern Conference-leading mark to 21-5-4. Kessel notched one goal and one assist in a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay December 8, registered an assist in a 3-1 loss at Washington Dec. 10, tallied a goal and two assists in a 7-3 win at Atlanta Dec. 12 and closed the week with a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Thrashers Dec. 13.Kessel's point streak is a career high, the longest in the NHL this season and longest by a Bruins player since Adam Oates recorded points in 20 consecutive games from Jan. 7 to Feb. 20, 1997. The 21-year-old Madison, Wisconsin native is second in Bruins scoring with 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 30 games, ranks third in the NHL in goals and already has matched his career high of 19 goals set last season.The NHL will conduct a media conference call with Kessel today at 3:00 p.m. ET.Pittsburgh’s Petr Sykora received the Second Star honors as he recorded three goals and five assists in four games last week, while Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek claimed the Third Star after registering a week-high five goals, including two gamewinners.The Bruins return to action on Thursday, December 18 when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00 p.m. ET.