
Zanon
BOSTON — Even before Johnny Boychuk was knocked to the sidelines by a Chris Neil hit and ensuing concussion symptoms, the Bruins knew they had to add at least one more veteran defenseman for depth before the stretch run and playoffs.
General manager Peter Chiarelli today added two blueliners, one more prominent than the other, before the 3 p.m. trade deadline.
Chiarelli’s biggest of two deals today shipped Steven Kampfer to Minnesota for Greg Zanon. The Bruins’ second deal picked up two veterans Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau, who probably won’t be counted on to play much, in exchange for minor leaguers Marc Cantin and Yannick Riendeau.
Zanon is a perennial presence among the NHL’s top four in blocked shots every season. This year, he missed 16 games with a groin injury in the fall. With Zanon’s acquisition, one of Adam McQuaid or Joe Corvo might be pushed into the role as seventh defenseman. For now, the Bruins need a replacement for Boychuk.
Mottau, a native of Avon, Mass., just returned from a 26-game absence due to a concussion. Rolston also missed time with a concussion this season and has 4-5-9 totals and a minus-12 rating in 49 games. Rolston, who previously played for the Bruins 2000-2004, was waived by the Islanders Sunday and cleared waivers today.
For more on the trades, including Chiarelli’s comments, check out my NHL.com pieces. And for my take on how the Bruins fared at the deadline, go to CBSBoston.com.
More Chiarelli Magic. Not the biggest additions in the world, but look what they paid for it: A defensman we were afraid to play, and two prospects who were warm bodies on the farm team. He upgraded the one we didn’t want to play (who has more potential upside than Zannon) for the consistency of Zannon, and two players who weren’t gonna make it with us for depth. I betcha Rolston becomes a regular on the 3rd or makes pouliot work really fing hard.
Dr. Peter, that makes perfect sense. I am OK with these guys too. Zanon is a shot blocking machine and Rolston brings some veteran presence back to the team. As far as your salutation to me…Patty is the female spelling of the nickname, or what is on a hamburger. Paddy is the male version…as in St. Paddy’s day.
Knight, Spooner, Hamilton and Koko all remain with the organization. I am happy.
PattyD,
I think I can answer your question. The reason Rolston was not picked up yesterday on waivers was probably because the B’s might have had their eyes on other players (ahead of Rolston), but when trades for those players fell through today, they resorted to their back-up plans (which included Rolston). On another note, I really like the pick-ups of Mottau and especially Little Z (Zanon). They both can log lots of minutes and are very hard to play against…
Perhaps I don’t completely understand waivers but if Rolston was waived yesterday why did the B’s trade for him today. Couldn’t they have had him for free by claiming him off waivers yesterday? Or would compensation have been required?