Bruins Trade Deadline Review

After a relatively quiet afternoon from the Bruins despite a flurry of trade activity across the league that saw major pieces like St. Louis, Callahan, Gaborik, Halak, Miller, Hemsky, and Vanek find new homes, many B's fans are irate. They're calling Chiarelli a timid GM who refuses to make big moves at the deadline.

It's all heresy and nonsense as far as I'm concerned.

The only teams that made major deals at the deadline are teams that needed to make major deals at the deadline. Chiarelli has been a genius GM who consistently proves to think ahead of the rest of us. He signs the right players and orchestrates good contracts so the Bruins aren't one of the teams scrambling at the deadline.

That's why the Bruins have been one of the best NHL teams for years now and have made 2 SC appearances in 3 years. But no, let's go get some superstar player with a huge contract. That worked out well for Kovalchuk, Lecavalier, Heatley, Richards, etc.


Here are my thoughts on Vanek. I understand some guys wanted Vanek because he's an exciting player and can score goals. But the deal that MTL got him for (prospect and pick) would not have worked for us. We would have had to ship someone off our roster to fit him under the cap. It wouldn't have been a defenseman since we were already in need there so that leaves 3 options:
Brad Marchand
Loui Eriksson
Chris Kelly

Snow wouldn't have been interested in Kelly, obviously. PC wouldn't have wanted to deal Marshy. Which leaves Eriksson. Now I went and did some research. In the last 3 years, Vanek has 78 goals compared to Eriksson's 65. So Vanek is a better goal scored but now MUCH better. Fact- Eriksson is younger. Fact- Eriksson is cheaper. Fact- Eriksson is better defensively. Still want Vanek?

Going out and getting "that guy" doesn't mean that you're automatically the favorite. In fact, it quite often means the opposite historically. Look at the Pens last year with Iginla. In years past, it's been Hossa or Gaborik and none of these teams go on to win. It's about building a better TEAM not getting the best players. Is Montreal a more dangerous team with Vanek? Sure. But look at the top 7 teams- Hawks, Ducks, Pens, Sharks, Avs, Blues, Bruins. None of them made any major trades on offense or defense (other than Miller). Like the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Why risk shaking up the Bruins locker room by ripping out someone like Marchand or Loui and inserting Vanek and assume we get much better?

And the reason Vanek went for so cheap in the first place is because GMs pretty much knew that it was guaranteed to be a rental. He already turned down a huge contract offer from the Islanders, stating his wish to test the FA market. No GM is gonna give up major assets for someone they A) most likely couldn't sign and B) if they did it would be for colossal amounts of cash.

By the way, the Bruins are tied for 4th for Goals per Game (with Pittsburgh no less) and are 8th in PP%. Also, Marchand, Iginla, Lucic and Smith ALL have more goals than Vanek. WE DON'T NEED OFFENSE.


What we did need was defense and PC addressed that as well as he could. You were never going to replace Seidenberg. What we did get as a big, strong, lefty d-man in Meszaros who likes to play physical and move the puck. He also has had chemistry with Chara in the past (he was paired with Chara in his rookie year in '05-06 and +34, third best in the league). Potter is another great depth guy- Mark Stuart lite. We got both of these for the price of one draft pick.

Guys on the radio calling in and whining that Chiarelli didn't go get some superstar forward just blow my mind. Quiet deadline for the Bruins because we didn't need to make any major changes. I'm content with this team. Anybody who isn't has a very short term memory.