So, perhaps the Phil Kessel deal wasn’t a good idea after all.
I’ll admit, I was on the get-rid-of-him bandwagon. For all I know I might have been the President.
But now, I’m regretting Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli’s decision to trade Kessel for three draft picks. I’ll go as far as to say I think it was an awful trade … for now.
So far this season the Bruins struggle to score goals. They’ve only scored more than four goals twice, have been shutout three times, and have managed only one goal five times – all leading to a mediocre 8-8-4 record, good for 10th in the Eastern Conference. Yes, the Bruins will eventually get players from those picks or they might even trade some of those for a star, but the help needs to arrive and fast.
Yes, it is early and yes, the B’s are without Marc Savard and Milan Lucic, but even with the two players good and healthy, is it enough? I don’t think so.
Lucic isn’t known for his goal scoring, he’s known for his physical presence and at times his play making skills. Either way, when Lucic steps on the ice he creates chances.
Marc Savard is a natural play maker– a player that creates goals and goal-scoring chances. The previous three seasons Savard led the Bruins in assists (63, 63 and 74) and points (88, 78 and 96).
This might seem all well and optimistic but here’s where I’ll tell you it still isn’t enough.

In only six games played Kessel has notched seven points (three goals, four assists); bringing and immediate impact to his new team.
The absence of Kessel, his play making and goal-scoring ability are qualities that Chiarelli and everyone else who owns a nice comfy office in The Garden overlooked. Kessel scored 36 goals last season, leading the Bruins to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs before being ousted by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7. Many, though, including myself, didn’t think Kessel fit the Black and Gold “mold”.
To be a Bruin you have to be tough, physical and gritty player who is willing to block shots, play tough along the boards and stick up for your teammates. Kessel hardly took the body, never blocked shots and shied away from any board play like a Freshman at a High School dance. Still, though, he scored 36 goals, nine more than the next Bruin (Michael Ryder, 27). His snap shot is nearly unstoppable and his wrist shot is unbelievably accurate. He’s the sort of player that team’s have to adjust their game plan to.
But with Kessel now gone, Chiarelli looked to some Bruins of last season and some new additions to fill the skates of the speedy winger. Marco Sturm, who was out most of last season recovering from surgery that repaired his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament, was counted on to step up and provide some of the offensive firepower. He hasn’t delivered. Blake Wheeler and David Krejci, expected to mature into more all-around players while still keeping their point totals up, are struggling to find the net like their German teammate.

Marco Sturm and the Bruins haven't done a lot of cheering lately. Sturm has only nine points (four goals, five assists) in 20 games played.
To give you some prospective, Patrice Bergeron leads the Bruins with 13 points, while the NHL leader, Anze Kopitar of Los Angeles, owns 32 points. The Bruins’ power play is defunct, their overall play is emotional and energy-packed on some night’s while others, like last night’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, failed to convince me and the 14,000 or so fans in attendance last night that they were playing with a purpose.
Things need to change and quick for the B’s who are in 10th place and looking in at teams like Tampa Bay, Atlanta and even the Islanders –who have missed the playoffs the last couple years. But even with Savard and Lucic healthy and providing for the team, the B’s need them badly right now, I still think the Bruins will be looking for more.






In his inaugral season with the Flyers, JR won the Bobby Clarke Trohpy (Flyers MVP) and led the team with 46 assists and a +32 plus/minus rating – once again playing a large part in the Flyers’ Atlantic Division title. Earlier that year on Jan. 30, 2002 Roenick scored is 1,000 point. At season’s end JR was still in search of his first Stanley Cup as the Flyers fell in the opening round to the Senators.
eeing that there’s the possibility of foregoing one’s paycheck. But, that’s exactly what the NHL hopes.