Dec 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center
Peter Holland(24) is
congratulated
on his goal by right wing
David Clarkson(71) and defenseman
Cody Franson(4) and defenseman
Jake Gardiner(51) and left wing
Mason Raymond(12) against the Boston Bruins at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins were beaten 3-1 last Sunday by the Montreal Canadiens. This is the first time the Canadiens have won all their regular season series against the Bruins since the 2007–08 season. It’s also the first time the Habs haven’t needed overtime to do beat the B’s since 1944–45.
So, what happened? There will always be a part of the fan base that will perpetually cast blame on the favoritism that seems to be shown the Habs. That wasn’t the case last night. The Canadiens played with purpose and the Bruins simply didn’t. It hurt even more that the Bruins easily missed three open net opportunities throughout the game.
Something is up though. It looks like Peter Chiarelli may be making that move we’re hoping for. (As long as it’s not another Johnny Boychuk for magic beans trade.) The Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis was at the Bruins/Habs game. Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney was also there. They were obviously scouting for their teams. Both the Coyotes and the Leafs are having trouble, and they might be looking to infuse their squads with Black and Gold blood.
So, why would the Bruins make a deal with Toronto? The Leafs are in free-fall. They just came off an eleven game losing streak. It appears that Nonis and Leafs’ President Brendan Shanahan are of the same mind when it comes to re-organizing the team. This means a full-blown Toronto fire sale. The Leafs will try to get value in off-loading players who will be free agents at the end of the season. The Bruins have the extra draft picks available from the Boychuk trade, so it’s certainly possible someone will be moved in Boston.
This will certainly strengthen the rumors that the B’s are taking a look at Toronto defenseman Cody Franson. He’s a big body (6’5″, 213lbs) that can maneuver and could be a decent post-Chara pairing with Dougie Hamilton. He’s a blueliner that has shown that he’s very comfortable on special teams (with four power play goals). The Bruins would have to let someone go (if we’re lucky this could be the great chance for the B’s to unload both Jordan Caron and Matt Bartkowski) to cover the three million plus cap hit.
The Bruins have usually come out ahead in making trades with Toronto, and perhaps Chiarelli will have something up his sleeve to redeem himself. (Chiarelli has been under a lot of fire in Boston this season, and the Boychuk trade certainly didn’t endear himself to the fan base.) Hopefully, the Bruins find the right bodies before the March deadline.