Pitkanen

According to TSN reporter Darren Dreger, teams shopping for puck-moving help on defense, like the Bruins, might want to lower their gaze to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes might be willing to deal a veteran.

In his daily Dreger Report this morning, Dreger writes the Hurricanes “would consider moving Joe Corvo, Joni Pitkanen or Ian White, but sources say the Canes would need to get a defenceman in return as part of the compensation.”

Well, it just so happens the Bruins have an available legit top-four defenseman with several years of NHL experience, but he’s still just 26. And if Carolina’s not interested in Mark Stuart, who has become the team’s regular healthy scratch, maybe the Hurricanes would sniff around on Adam McQuaid, Andrew Ference or Johnny Boychuk.

The Bruins certainly have the pool of prospects and picks to add to the package and pry one of the above-mentioned Canes defensemen away. And all three would fall into the “puck-moving” category.

Pitkanen and White are both scheduled to be unrestricted free agents this summer. Pitkanen, 27, carries a $4 millon cap hit, while White, 26, hits the cap for a little less than $3 million.

Corvo, 33, is signed for next year in addition to this, at the cap hit of $2.25 million. His past off-ice issues, plus his disappearing act with Washington (six points in 18 games) down the stretch last season, would probably scare the Bruins off.

But there’s no reason, other than a steep price, for the Bruins to not be interested in Pitkanen and White, who would really fill the hole Boston has had since Dennis Wideman dropped his playing level and then was traded.

Hopefully for the Bruins, at least part of general manager Peter Chiarelli’s mind is on Carolina.

Published By Fri. February 11, 2011 4:24 pm EDT