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It is NHL Trade Deadline day (pause for celebration). Because it is our first trade deadline day at Something's Bruin, I want to break down the Bruins NHL roster to see who is movable and who isn't. I'll be starting with the forwards.
Forwards
Steve Begin: Begin is a 31 year old grinder who was brought to the Bruins to bring depth and energy. Begin also has done a great job on the penalty kill for Boston. His numbers aren't great by any stretch (56GP, 3G, 9P, 12A) but no one expected him to carry the offense. Begin has done a good job in Boston and with an expiring contract, I don't see him moving. Ruling: Movable
Patrice Bergeron: Bergeron is one of the most frustrating Bruins players on this roster. Before his concussion, Bergeron scored 31 goals (2005-2006 season), but since then hasn't come close to that number. His highest goal total (12 and counting) and his highest point total (39 last year) haven't been impressive, considering the guy makes $5M this year and $5.75M next year. With that said, no hockey team is going to take this large contract for a 3rd line center. Ruling: Unmovable due to contract
Byron Bitz: Bitzy Cat, Bitzy Cat, where are you? We can't...find...you! Sorry, I felt as though I needed to break into song to find Byron Bitz. Bitz is a 25 year old grinder type of player who has no business being on this team. Bitz' contract isn't a killer by any means, but he's certainly taking up roster space that could be used on someone else. In 45 games played this season, Bitz has scored 4 goals and has added 5 assists (9 points). The Bruins make look to add Bitz into a package deal today. Ruling: GONE - Traded to the Florida Panthers along with Craig Weller and a 2nd round pick for Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartowski
David Krejci: Krejci is a 23 year old center that blew everyone's mind last year with his masterful play. At the end of the season, he signed his name on the dotted line and subsequently vanished. With that being said, Krejci has played in 58 games while scoring 11 goals and adding 20 assists (31 points). Despite all of this, Krejci is young enough that you can still build a team around him. He's proven he is a good #2 center and with some maturity could blossom into a good top center. Ruling: Untouchable
Milan Lucic: Lucic is the guy who is known to everyone even if people don't know about hockey. He's the guy who was continually compared to Cam Neeley (unjustified) in the offseason and he's also the guy who signed a FAT contract extension that will give him $4+M over the next three seasons starting next year. The season for Lucic has been plagued by injuries so I'm willing to write it off, but if this is his play from here on out, there's the door. Ruling: Untouchable
Dan Paille: I love Dan Paille on the Bruins. I just wanted to make that clear. I think Paille will remain with this team for a long time given his skill set and his ability to be used in multiple situations. Paille will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and should be coming back to the Bruins. While he's shown flashes of brilliance, his consistency seems to be an issue as some nights you can't find him on the ice. Teams may be interested in him for the RFA tag and his speed/penalty kill ability, but I don't see Boston moving him. Ruling: Movable
Mark Recchi: No one wants Mark Recchi, he's 42 years old and already stated he will retire at the end of this season. Recchi has also been the most consistent Bruin player throughout this season and Boston would be stupid to trade him admist a playoff run. Ruling: Unmovable due to age
Michael Ryder: Holy shit, Michael Ryder is awful. Last year the Bruins signed Ryder to a three year contract that had most people (self included) scratching our heads. Ryder effectively shut our traps as he scored 27 goals and 26 assists (53 points), but this season he's been back to his old self. Ghost Ryder has been out in full effect, notching 15 goals and 10 assists so far and is being overpaid for his lack of effort and production. Ryder's contract is so big and his production is so bad ($4M a season people) that no one will want him despite being rumored on the trading block. Ruling: Unmovable because he sucks and so does his contract
Miroslav Satan: Seriously, no one wants Satan. If they did, they would've signed him. Ruling: Unmoveable due to age
Marc Savard: The black and gold savior just signed a long term deal that will see him in Boston until the 2014/2015 season. No way Savard gets traded. Ruling: Untouchable (and NTC'd)
Vladimir Sobotka: Sobotka is a young player (21) who has been bounced between the NHL and AHL. While with the Bruins though, Sobotka has broughr effort and heart unseen by many in the black and gold this year. Sobotka is a nice piece for any team who is looking to make a move in the playoffs and needs a 3rd or 4th line center to get their line going, but I think the Bruins are to high on him. At the end of this season, Vlado will be a Restricted Free Agent and teams could want a young guy. Ruling: Movable
Marco Sturm: Guy has a no-trade clause and hasn't been asked to waive it. Ruling: NTC'd
Shawn Thornton: Thornton isn't going anywhere unless a team REALLY wants an enforcer. Ruling: Movable
Blake Wheeler: Wheeler has been a disappointment no matter how you slice it. His speed, strength and skill is diminished by his lack of drive and effort night in and night out. Wheeler will be a Restricted Free Agent this season but Bruins brass seems so high on him, I don't see him going anywhere. Ruling: Movable
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