Bruins Trade For Smith

GM Arcesi of the Bruins was able to strike a deal with GM Brodsky of the Coyotes to acquire goaltender Mike Smith.  Arcesi stated that the trade talks were fairly short and the turnaround time of this deal was within minutes.  Arcesi made an original offer to Brodsky for Smith and Brodsky liked the look of it for the most part, but wanted to ensure that tough guy Rinaldo was included in the deal.  Arcesi was a tad bit hesitant to give up his L.O.D. centerman, but then realized that Smith would be much more help to the Bruins this season than what Rinaldo would be, so he pulled the trigger.  Also moving to Phoenix in the deal was the first round draft pick of the Islanders in the 2014 draft and back up goaltender Jeff Zatkoff.

This trade brings up questions now regarding starting goaltendership in Boston.  Do they stick with Cam Ward who has been their starter since he was the Bruins first selection in the inaugural draft, or will Smith take the job from Ward and will one of them become expendable?  Arcesi thought of that and stated that the goaltending duties for the remainder of the season will be shared between Ward and Smith.  Smith is due to be a free agent next season and Arcesi will start to begin the negotiating process with Smith's camp in the coming days to see if an extension will be in the works, or if this is just a move for this season.  Arcesi iterrated that he wanted to ensure that they had strength in net this season as the Bruins were not getting the support from Zatkoff as a back up and a change was needed, but wishes Zatkoff success in his future endeavors.  Zatkoff was brought in by the Bruins this season to be a salary savings reliable quality back up goaltender, but unfortunately, he did not live up to the Bruins expectations.

With the Bruins striving to get into a playoff spot with about a third of the season completed, Smith can only help try to bring them that much closer.  Since the Bruins traded their best defenseman in Duncan Keith when they acquired young up and comers Tyler Toffoli and Riley Smith along with a 2nd round pick which they used to acquire Rotislav Klesla and also acquired Brad Stuart, the Bruins have been on an 8-3-1 tear in their last 11 games.  Will this move be enough for the surging Bruins to make the playoffs, or will they fizzel away and miss them entirely?  Will Arcesi be done trading or will he make more moves?  I guess we will have to wait and see for both of those questions.  One thing I can say for sure is...if the Bruins limp into the 8th or 7th seed spot of the playoffs...I wouldn't want to be the team playing them as they could be a lot to handle at that seed.

Let's Go Bruins!