The return of Marc Savard will help boost these numbers as the B’s have struggled in the goal department. Tonight Savard is expected to center Byron Bitz and Marco Sturm.

One thing through the Bruins remain consistent on this season is goal-tending. Tim Thomas started out a little shaky, well to Thomas standards but quickly got his game back. With Thomas nursing a minor undisclosed injury, nothing has changed between the pipes. The addition of  Tuukka Rask who got the promotion from Providence this season has stepped into the line up and has won his last 2 games and has a 5-2-1 record with a 2.31 GAA and a .917 sv%.

The Bruins have a tough stretch this week as they will play 4 games in the next 6 days,  facing the Wild, Devils and Senators after St.Louis tonight. The Boston Globe reported last week that Peter Chiarelli will wait until injured first-line forwards Milan Lucic and Marc Savard return to the lineup before he makes any big trades. With all the key players back, this will be the time to evaluate what this 2009-10 Bruins team is made of.

I have mixed feelings on this issue because the Bruins obvious need an offensive spark which Forsberg can bring. The B’s could also use another veteran to help this young team develop and once again, Forsberg can do just that but here are some problems that go with the possible deal.

Forsberg has been on again-off again in the NHL like Michael Jordon was to the NBA. There is no telling how long the veteran would stick around or more importantly stay healthy. Another issue is the position of center as the B’s already have Savard, Bergeron and Krejic which means either, Chirelli is looking to deal one of those three which I highly doubt or may want to convert one of them to a wing.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of Forsberg in the locker room and we need to fill the void of Kessel but unless we can get him for a bargain basement price, I don’t think “Foppa” is the answer that the Bruins are looking for.

Tim Thomas who was criticized early on even by me, has slowly gotten his game back to what it was a year ago. In Fact Tuukka Rask has been impressive between the pipes as well. The goaltender dual ranked 8th in the league in GAA has surrendered just 5 goals in the last 4 games and have just 1 win to show for it as they have lost 3 out of the last 4.In those same 4 games, the B’s mustered a mere 3 goals. I don’t care who is in net, you can’t win like that.

This recent skid by the B’s is lack of offense ranked 27th in the league ahead of just 3 teams, Toronto being one of them who my local high school team could probably beat. It is time that Peter Chiarelli started looking at possible options before this season slips away. Obviously the loss of Savard and Lucic plays a big part in the whole picture and things will improve when they return. But remember this, the Bruins were not all that impressive at the begging with the two stars in the line up. Management failed to replace the hole that Phil Kessel left when traded. I think long term we got the better deal, but that is long term.

The bottom line is that this Bruins team is only a quality player or two away from being the team they were last season. They have goaltending and defense, find a couple of guys that know how to put the puck in the net and Bruins fans will be proud.

The B’s have three games in the next four nights and this will be a good test on what this squad will bring us this season. With Lucic out for the next 4-6 weeks, the rest of the team needs to bring their toughness to the rink tonight. Peter Chiarelli has sent a message with the recent trade of Kobesaw, the Bruins GM is trying to shake things up.

The Bruins acquired forward Daniel Paille from the Buffalo Sabres for a third round pick in 2010 and a conditional 4th round pick in 2010. The 6 foot 197 pound Paille has 35 goals, 42 assists and 54 pim in the 195 games played in the NHL but has played only appeared in 2 games for the Sabres this season. Hard to believe but this marks the first ever trade between the two franchises.

The good news for the B’s would be that Shawn Thorton who was listed day to day should return tonight. Look for Thorton to play on the 4th line with Begin and Bitz. More good news may be defenseman Dennis Wideman who has been sidelined since October 10th could also return tonight. With the acquisition of Paille and the return of Thorton and Wideman, the B’s have assigned Lefebrve to Providence.

photo courtesy of Alan Sullivan

The Bruins announced that Milan Lucic signed a three year extension yesterday for a reported 12 million dollars.

Use your money wisely and signing the best power forward since Cam Neely is one of Peter Chiarelli’s best moves for the Bruins yet. With names like Bitz  and Thorton added to the extension of Lucics’ contract, The Bruins GM has sent a message to the fans that the Big Bad Bruins are here to stay and I have said it before, that is the way the B’s are successful.

This is a great opportunity for youth hockey coaches to learn from the best. Space is limited and you can register here.

Featured Speakers:

*General Manager Peter Chiarelli

* Head Coach Claude Julien and Staff

* USA Hockey’s New England American Development Model Manager Roger Grill