Going into yesterday’s
trade deadline, the Boston Bruins found themselves facing a dilemma. In a
seller’s market, they could have dealt their expendable pieces above their true
value or they could have tried to fix the problems of their underachieving team.
The Bruins did both
yesterday by acquiring forward Brett Connolly from the Tampa Bay Lightning in
exchange for two second round picks and 31 year old center Maxime Talbot from
the Colorado Avalanche for forward Jordan Caron and a sixth round pick.
“[Connolly’s] a player
that we've looked at for a while,” said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli
on the team’s website. “He's a guy that we think can come in and help us right
away and could have a long future for us.”
Connolly is a 22 year
old, right shot winger that upgrades the Bruins’ third line immediately.
Connolly maintains restricted free agent status at the end of the season as
well, meaning that the Bruins can retain Connolly if they so choose to or opt
for draft pick compensation if they let him go to another team in free agency.
At 22 years old and a former
sixth overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft, the Bruins hope Connolly still has
potential to improve his game and become a top four winger.
During the 2012-2013 AHL
season, Connolly had 31 goals and 32 assists. Although it has translated to
only 18 NHL goals, 12 coming this year in 50 games, a change of scenery and a
new system could help elevate Connolly’s play.
Max Talbot, signed
through next year as well, provides a short-term fix for the Bruins. Talbot
gives the Bruins’ versatility in line combinations. He can pair with
practically every line. He can pair on the first line with Brad Marchand and
Patrice Bergeron, while also fitting well with Chris Kelly on the fourth line.
“I would characterize [Talbot]
as a glue guy who has played in a lot of playoffs, plays all three positions,
is a gritty guy, plays all-out, and we believe he's a good add to our forward
group,” said Chiarelli about Talbot via espn.com.
These two players provide
upgrades for the Bruins’ roster over the guys they replace. Talbot will
outperform Jordan Caron and Connolly will outperform recently released forward
Craig Cunningham, Brian Ferlin and anyone else from within the organization
that would have gotten the ice time. Talbot also has playoff experience. Caron
does not have the same experience and maturity as Talbot.
However, skepticism still
arises. Connolly’s future is still unclear.
The Tampa Bay Lightning
currently sit second in the eastern conference. As a team that should be trying
to add pieces to fix problems, history would suggest that the Lightning would
want to hold onto a 22 year old, former sixth overall pick if he really does
have any more ability to improve. The trade suggests that Tampa Bay has given
up on Connolly and his ability, not the best indication of any possible
improvement, but not finality.
Judgment is still out
though. The Bruins have a history in finding success within highly drafted prospects
that prove as busts for the team that drafted them, such as Cam Neely and
Benoit Pouliot.
Although still productive,
Talbot’s best days are behind him. Talbot will never be the same player that
played in Pittsburgh from 2005-2011.
Averaging 19.4 points per
year, Talbot’s upside is in his ability to play in the boards, not his
play-making abilities. His skill set does not put the Bruins ahead of the other
teams that upgraded at the deadline.
Even though Connolly and
Talbot are not season altering, franchise changing players, they do provide key
upgrades for this year’s Bruins team without a hefty price tag. They also
provide future return as well, as both have the ability to come back for next
season.
Bruins’ general
manager made two good moves yesterday on paper. Now they have to prove it on
the ice.
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