Bieska

Ever since the Vancouver Canucks traded for Keith Ballard and signed Dan Hamhuis as an unrestricted free agent, the rumor has been that the next shoe to fall will be the trading of one of their three defensemen that are entering the finally year of their contracts.

The Bruins have been connected Kevin Bieksa in numerous rumors, as he somewhat fits the mold of a puck-moving defenseman, which the Bruins are still shopping for.

Bieksa carries a cap hit of $3.75 million, so Boston would have to move money in order to acquire him (or any other player worth trading for, for that matter).

And according to Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca, Bieksa’s stock might be down — but it might be down for a reason.

After noting that the 29-year-old Bieksa struggled last season and Canucks coach Alain Vigneault might’ve soured on his blueliner, Spector writes:

“[Bieksa] wanted more responsibility this past season, we’re told, and when he got it in the playoffs he was not reliable. Either Bieksa thinks he’s better than he is, or for some reason, he’s not playing to his potential.”

Sounds like the type of player the Bruins would be able to acquire for less than some other defensemen of his ilk, but that the team would be adding yet another underachiever that could go either way. I guess it’s buyer beware when it comes to Bieksa.