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| After losing Marc Savard for the season, what are the chances Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli steps up to the plate and acquires a star like Dallas' Brad Richards before the February 28 trade deadline? |
Less than a week ago everything was going great. The Black and Gold had just pummeled the Canadiens 8-6 in an epic heavyweight bout at the Garden. At the time, it was their fourth victory in the last five games. And, most important of all, it stretched the Bruins lead in the Northeast Division to four points over the second place Habs.
Oh how quickly things change.
Since defeating Montreal last Wednesday night, the Bruins have hit the skids, exposed as frauds in a home and home series with the mighty Detroit Red Wings. As if being blown out at home 6-1 by Detroit Friday night wasn't humiliating enough, the Bruins traveled to Joe Louis Arena Sunday afternoon looking for redemption only to be humbled once again by a much faster, hungrier and more skilled Red Wing club, 4-2.
And what have the Canadiens done in the meantime? Try picking up three of a possible four points, including a commanding 3-0 shutout over Toronto on Saturday. As a result of the Bruins' collapse and the Habs' resurgence, Boston's once comfortable division lead over Montreal has shrunk to a single point.
So how do the Bruins respond?
By making a blockbuster trade.
When the Bruins were rolling just a few weeks ago, the reason they incited fear into their opponents was because coach Claude Julien had three dynamic scoring lines and a gritty checking line to employ at his discretion. But, with Marc Savard's season officially over after he was placed on the long-term injured reserve as a result of his most recent concussion, Boston has become predictable offensively: they lack a third playmaking center.
As a result, opposing teams can hone in on the first line line of David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Horton as well as the second line of Bergeron, Marchand and Recchi. After that, the Bruins' offensive output ends there. Sure, Tyler Seguin will most likely be a great player someday, but the Bruins aren't going to hoist the Cup in the Spring if they expect a wide eyed 18-year-old to fill Savard's shoes in his rookie year.
It's time for General Manager Peter Chiarelli and Cam Neely to step up to the plate before the February 28 trade deadline.
It's been 39 years since the Bruins have won the Cup and, despite the resurgence of hockey excitement in the Hub in recent years, die-hard fans are still restless. They also realize that the only way the Bruins' agonizing championship drought will end this year is if management deals for a top-flight centerman to replace Savard, a la Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars, as Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe suggested recently. Even the Panthers' Stephen Weiss, who scored a career-high 28 goals last season, would be a welcome addition. Same for old-friend Brad Boyes of the Blues. Or maybe the lowly Senators would be willing to part with Jason Spezza.
It's been 39 years since the Bruins have won the Cup and, despite the resurgence of hockey excitement in the Hub in recent years, die-hard fans are still restless. They also realize that the only way the Bruins' agonizing championship drought will end this year is if management deals for a top-flight centerman to replace Savard, a la Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars, as Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe suggested recently. Even the Panthers' Stephen Weiss, who scored a career-high 28 goals last season, would be a welcome addition. Same for old-friend Brad Boyes of the Blues. Or maybe the lowly Senators would be willing to part with Jason Spezza.
Last year, Boston defied expectations and thrilled us all with a epic playoff push before eventually breaking our hearts against Philadelphia. But, after watching the Red Wings pick apart the Bruins this past weekend, even the casual Boston fan can concede the fact that, as they stand now, the Savard-less B's just don't have enough firepower to make a deep run at the Cup. But, with Savard gone so too goes his $4 million cap hit, giving the front office some serious financial flexibility to help absorb a hefty contract like that of Richards.
That's where you come in, Chiarelli. Give up that top-five pick in next year's draft, the one still hanging around from Toronto as a result of the Phil Kessel trade. Trade Mark Stuart, who has been a mystery scratch recently. Or a prospect like Zach Hammill, Jordan Caron or Joe Colborne. Or, even though I'd hate to see them go, package Blake Wheeler or Michael Ryder in a deal if it means landing Richards.
Just get us a stud, Peter. At least if it doesn't pan out no one can say you didn't try.
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