The Boston Bruins made this Friday, February 18th a busy day. Acquiring power play specialist Tomas Kaberle from Toronto for former first round pick and AHL forward Joe Colborne, a late first round pick in this summers upcoming draft, and a conditional second round pick. In completing this long speculated potential deal, Kaberle offers solid play making at the blue line (especially on the power play) and a strong break out ability which the Bruins have been lacking thus far this season. Kaberle will allow Marc Rechhi to play forward in front of the net on the PP and he will no longer be the play maker on the point (which had been frustrating due to the lack of a slap shot.)
In order to free up cap space to acquire Kaberle, the Bruins had to make a secondary deal. Much maligned forward Blake Wheeler and underachieving defenseman Mark Stuart have been dealt to Atlanta for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik. Peverley has provided quality play thus far this season and will replace Wheeler nicely. Valabik will be sent to AHL Providence. This trade has left a sour taste in some of your mouths due to the fact that Wheeler has "blossomed" recently. Stuart and Wheeler were the 2 players that fit the expendability/cap hit equation in which the Bruins needed to make this trade.
Another con to the Kaberle trade is that he is an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of this season. Giving up a first rounder and a first round player in Colborne is a steep price for a 3 month rental. But what he can provide as an immediate fix is worth it, and if he resigns next season its gravy.
Making an immediate impact, Kaberle will be in uniform tonight as well as newly acquired forward Chris Kelley as the Bruins take on Ottawa. The Senators are in last place in the Eastern Conference and are sellers at this trade deadline. Boston looks to increase its division lead on Montreal to 4 points and try to start their 6 game road trip off right with 2 straight wins over floundering franchises.
Prediction: Unclear how Kaberle will perform in his first game with the B's. But Ottawa sucks and I see the Bruins taking care of business. Bruins 3 - Senators 1.
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