A couple of weeks ago I said i didn't believe Chirelli should give up a lot of prospects and picks at the deadline, and should just go after players like recchi as they did last year. That was before it came out that Horton was definitely on the block. I think the Bruins should make a serious run for him. Horton is young, has great skill, has a fairly cap friendly salary for what he brings to the table, and plays a tough style that really fits into the Boston scheme. I didn't feel giving up a big package for Kovie was smart, because it was pretty well determined he wouldn't return. In Horton's case we know he will be a factor in the Bruins lineup for at least two more seasons. Horton provides Savard with a big strong winger who can finish consistently, and is also very effective on the power play. I was thinking a package like Boston's 1st in 2010, Toronto's 2nd in 2010, Ryder, and Colborne. It looks like a hefty deal but due to Horton's age, skill, and friendly salary I think it is worth it and what it will take. It is actually close to what Kovie went for so Florida should be satisfied with it. If you look at the two deals Boston's first will be better then Jersey's, Cormier and Colborne are a wash at this point, Ryder when he is on his game means more to a team then Oduya. The difference is Atlanta got Bergfors where FLA gets a second. Ryder gives FLA a pretty good scoring threat to offset the loss of Horton a little until the younger guys develop. Colborne is a top flight center prospect and both picks will most likely be between 15-34. When Horton and Stuart return from injury the Bruins will look something like:

Lucic         Savard       Horton

Wheeler   Krejci         Satan

Recchi     Bergeron   Sturm

Paille       Begin          Thornton

Bitz

Chara            Morris

Wideman     Stuart

Ference        Boychuk

Hunwick

Rask

Thomas

With Boston's goaltending and a healthy defensive defense, and the addition of a very good finisher Boston is a lot better going forward. The reason why I left Hunwick out of the top 6 is because of Boychuk's shut down ability. Boston will probably have to face one of Washington, Pittsburgh, Buffalo/Ottawa if they make it into the playoffs. I think Boychuk helps keep those offenses in check better then Hunwick. Keeping teams to 3 or less goals really benefit's Boston especially with the addition of a top flight goal scorer and PP guy. These three lines are a better balance and can give teams different looks. The first line has Horton and Lucic who can use their size in the corners and create space for Savard. They can brutalize defenses as well as set up shop in front of the net. Lucic and Hortons size gives them the ability to create their own space for Savard to find them The second line is the flash line. All three of them can use they skills to dangle past defenders and create chances. All three of them have the stick handling skills to keep the puck in Boston's possession. I know Satan hasn't produced as much as we would've liked, but he does have the ability to keep possession even under aggressive attack from the defense. The third line can do it all, plus the line has very high hockey IQ. I personally believe Recchi, Bergeron, and Sturm have been the most consistent offensive performs all year. They can get the job done in all situations...5 on 5, Powerplay, Penalty Kill they do it all. This team with Horton can be a big surprise in the playoffs to the top teams. They aren't exactly a Cup contender, but anything can happen if they make it to the post season.

 The next 9 games for the Bruins are going to be a tough test. They play two division leaders, the Capitals and two games against the Sabres. 4 divisional games, 2 against the Sabres and 2 against the Canadiens. Two against tough western conference teams in the Kings and the Canucks, and 2 against teams they should beat in the Panthers and Lightning.

 I would like to see a record of 7-2. The seven wins against the Eastern Conference teams and the two losses obviously against LA and Vancouver. My reasoning for this is the B's need as many points in the Conference as possible. The most crucial wins are against Montreal, Florida, and Tampa. The B's need to separate themselves from the bottom of the pack. Wins against Buffalo and Washington would give the B's morale and confidence in playing against the top tier teams.

Obviously with the way the team is playing as of late, a 7-2 record against the level of teams they will soon face is a stretch, but it could be done. Savvy should be back as soon as Friday, and hopefully, Sturm will follow not too long after. Sturm I feel is undervalued to this team due to his frequent injury's and cap number, but he is missed almost as much as Savard, I believe. Sturm actually shoots the puck, and gets good scoring chances, which is exactly what the B's need right now. With Kessel gone and Ryder's decline Sturm has become our best finisher. I highly doubt a deal gets done before the Olympics to get scoring help, so the B's have to rely on what they have.

The defense also seems to be struggling, but with all the same pieces as last year, minus Ward and Ference, I'm not sure what the problem is. One thing I suggest is healthy scratching Wides, to hopefully, make him realize something's wrong. I wouldn't mind going back to a defensive minded defense for a few games to get back on track. A Defense of Chara and Morris, Boychuk and McQuaid, and Stuart and Hunwick looks good to me. When Ference comes back and Wides smartens up (hopefully) I think the odd man out will be Hunwick. Boychuk has played too damn good so far, and without him the D will become very soft.

The Bruins will be active at the deadline. One good thing about the Carolina debacle was the showcase of Whitney. I wasn't sold on how effective Whitney could be as a deadline pickup, but he showed in that game he would be very effective if playing on a good team. Boston may be looking for another D-Man also if their defensive situation doesn't improve. I'm not sure who's available, but Kubina's name has been tossed around, although he's pricey. Kubina has a nice package of size and skill. He wins battles in the defensive zone with his size, and has good transition ability. He can make his own space and start the breakout with good passing. I'm not sure what Carolina and Atlanta would be asking in return, but it would probably cost some decent picks and/or prospects. If I did the math right if the B's get Kubina he would be owed $1,280,487.70 and Whitney would be owed $865,853.66 for a total of $2,146,341.36 for the remainder of the season. I don't know what the Bruins have in cap space (almost sure it isn't that), but with smaller contracts going the other way, they could fit these two on the team, and I feel it would make them a lot better. The last quarter or so of the year the team would look something like:

Lucic           Savard             Sturm

Wheeler      Krejci              Ryder

Whitney       Bergeron       Recchi

Thornton     Begin              Satan

Sobotka / Paille....I think Bitz is the odd man out due to lack of production and skill

Chara            Morris

Kubina         Boychuk

Stuart           Wides

Ference

Thomas

Rask

I'd feel good about the Bruins chances with that team.

Just when things were starting to turn around, and the team was getting healthy, the B's were were struck with the injury bug hard again. The latest victims are Bergeron (2-3 weeks estimated with Broken Thumb) and Ference (6 weeks estimated Groin injury). These two join Stuart who is already out with the Sternum, and Lucic with the ankle (expected to return Saturday from reports I heard on the Toucher and Rich show this mourning). Looking at the players that have been out over the course of the year the team is actually doing pretty well. The B's have lost 81+ man games due to injury this year, mostly to 1st and 2nd line / D pairing players. So my question is who do you guys think will be filling in for Ference? I would like to see McQuaid get most of the time in his absence because of his solid D, but statistically Wozniewski is tearing up the AHL and the Bruins are struggling offensively. I, however, have little confidence is his defensive skills. I've been to 7 Baby B's games this year, and Andy looks good down there, but in his time with the big club he looked shaky (plus he has a multitude of youtube videos of him getting beat like a traffic cone at the NHL level). Wozniweski is also a -9 in the AHL where McQuaid is a +13. So who do the Bruins go with : McQuaid's Defense or Wozniewski's Offense

Hey does anyone know what time the pregame events and stuff are going to start at the Winter Classic. I'm sure they are going to have some sort of ceremony or something and I don't want to miss any of it ya know.

The trade I was thinking of is with Toronto.  The B's need a top 6 forward who won't cost too much and can put the puck in the net. I was thinking Alexei Ponikarovski would be a nice fit, and I think he could be had for either 2nd and a prospect or 2 2nd's. He is an expiring contract so if it doesn't work out he's gone, but if it does work he could be resigned cheaper then say Kovalchuk (who a lot of my friends are dieing to get). Poni would round out the top 6 and make the top 9 incredibly balanced. I think the team would look something like:

(When Lucic and hopefully Stuart Return)

Lucic            Savard          Ryder

Poni             Krejci             Wheeler

Sturm          Bergy             Recchi

Thornton     Begin           Paille

Sobotka/Bitz

Chara         Morris

Boychuk     Wideman

Stuart     Ference

Hunwick

Thomas

Rask

I would feel good about going into the playoffs with that team, just based on the solid balance of offense. all three lines have players who can put the puck in the net (Ryder,Poni, Wheeler, Sturm) and set up men (Savard, Krejci, Bergeron). The D has a solid mix of Defensive play and puck moveing ability on each pairing, and goaltending speaks for itself.  So what do your guys think about this trade idea

According to reports on The Fourth Period Savard and the Bruins have agreed on a 7-year deal in which Savard will be paid 4.2 Million per season over the course of the deal. It is believed the deal will include a no trade clause

This is pretty awesome I didn't believe Savard would take such a pay cut even for a 7 year deal. Paying a proven 80-90 point scorer 4.2 million in unheard of but really helps this team. Pretty excited about this can't even type clear sentences....I think this calls for some celebratory beers.....off to do some day drinking tell me how you feel about the deal

The Bruins aren't playing up to the expectations that were set for them, don't get wrong, but luckily we play in a fairly even division. The team is still only 5 points out of first in the division (third in the conference), even while playing some horrible/disappointing games. Lucic and Savard coming back will be huge, not because they can single handedly increase the scoring themselves, but increase the options. Right now the teams scoring is focused around two players who are coming off major injuries (Sturm and Bergeron), a player who season after season starts slow (Ryder), some young guys (Krejci and Wheels), and an old man (Recchi). Teams can easily shut down the Bruins forwards, because they don't have many options. Lucic and Savard returning gives the team more scoring options which will make it harder for teams to shut them down.

Lucic    Savard    Ryder

Sturm   Bergeron   Recchi

Wheeler   Krejci    Paille

Thornton  Begin   Bitz

(Maybe interchange Recchi and Wheeler)

That lineup will potent on three lines for offense meaning second and third line D-Pairs against top-notch offense, The Defense and Goaltenders have been very good (minus the past two games). I feel the D-Men have been playing too cute the past couple of games to try and jump start the O leading to bad plays in the Defensive Zone. The Offense will come around when the team gets it's options back, leading to the Defensemen  settling down and playing smarter, leading to less Defensive Zone breakdowns, which hopefully will lead to more wins.  Pretty much the meaning of this drunken spew of words is I can't wait to see whats on the horizon when the Bruins start playing with a full healthy team.