Rumors III: Blackhawks and Bruins
  • Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks still need to move some salary as they have more than $71 million committed to 19 players – 12 forwards, five defensemen and two goalies (13 forwards now as Andrew Desjardins just signed).GM Stan Bowman said on Tuesday that they were getting closer to re-signing Marcus Kruger.

    Defenseman Stephen Johns could have a roster spot out of camp, adding another $800,000.

    They would like to bring in another veteran defenseman, possibly re-signing Johnny Oduya or Kyle Cumiskey, or free agent like Christian Ehrhoff.

    Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell and their combined $9.9 million cap hit (two-years remaining for both) are still the leading candidates to be moved.

    A source said that the Penguins, Capitals, Islanders and Canadiens were the among the initial teams that were interested in Sharp.

    The Bruins were thought to have some interest in Bickell, but they traded for Jimmy Hayes and signed Matt Beleskey.

  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins currently have about $8 million in salary cap space, but need to re-sign RFAs Brett Connolly and Jimmy Hayes. Brian Ferlin and Colin Miller could break camp with the Bruins, so their cap hit would lessen above number even further.The Bruins still need to address their blueline, preferably a puck-moving top four defenseman.

    Source saying the Bruins were in on Mike Green before he signed with Red Wings. They would have to move some salary around if they wanted to sign Cody Franson.

    “I don’t know if anybody picks their team, per se, in July. I think you assemble a group of guys you feel confident with, and I think now we’re taking a position where any trade that we look to make, or any player movement we look to make is one that we absolutely want to, and not have to,” said Sweeney. “We have some flexibility now to look at things completely that way going forward. No promises; a lot of balls are still in the air, a lot of players still to get back to their high side of their capabilities, and be excited about being a Boston Bruin.

    “That, to me, now, is what the entire focus is about. It’s about wanting to be a Boston Bruin, and hitting your high side to win. Every one of our development guys are going to hear about it, and all the way going forward with all the discussions we have, it’s about being excited to play for us.”

    The Bruins could look at Johnny Oduya. Kevin Shattenkirk’s name has come up in the rumor mill. A league source said there has been some talk between the Blues and both the Rangers and Flyers about Shattenkirk. No indication if the Bruins were involved.

    One source said that the Bruins tried to acquire Shattenkirk back in 2010 when the Bruins and Avalanche were talking about Matt Hunwick.