Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli kept his word and didn't mess with the team chemistry, but it's still unclear whether he did enough.
Defenseman Greg Zanon is expected to make his Bruins debut Thursday as they host the New Jersey Devils.When the Boston Bruins landed center Brian Rolston and defenseman Mike Mottau from the New York Islanders and defenseman Greg Zanon from the Minnesota Wild minutes before the NHL trade deadline, it was hard to judge whether these moves would be good enough to help a struggling club in need of a spark.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli kept his word and didn't mess with the team chemistry as defenseman Steven Kampfer was the only known name to be dealt. Kampfer was exchanged for the more experienced Zanon who has six season under his belt at 31 years old.
The former Islanders duo made their debuts Tuesday in a 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden and neither did nothing spectacular. At the same time neither made any costly mistakes, including not being on the ice for Erik Karlsson's power-play score at 14:44 in the first period.
Rolston didn't record a shot on goal and finished with 8:21 of ice time in 14 shifts.
The 39-year-old is unfairly coming in expecting to fill in the void without forwards Rich Peverley (knee) and Nathan Horton (concussion), but he wasn't brought in to be a sniper like Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash, rather to bring in a veteran presence like forward Mark Recchi's role with the Bruins last season before he retired after winning his third Stanley Cup Championship.
No, Rolston doesn't have three Stanley Cup rings, but he does have one in his first full NHL season with the New Jersey Devils in 1994-95.
Offensively, Rolston's numbers are down from a year ago where he compiled 14 goals and 20 assists in his second stint with the Devils. So far this season he only has four goals and five assists through 50 games.
Mottau, 33, faired a tad better in his debut (10:49 total ice time in 15 shifts, one shot) and is thrilled to be a part of a playoff contender.
"That’s the exciting part about being traded here. We kind of made a push on the Island and now the boys here are already in it. It’s a change of pace, but as a group we’re looking forward to it. I talked to (Rolston) quite a bit, and having the system in place, guys that have been here before and being part of this group is really exciting."
Zanon has yet to play, but should be available Thursday as Boston hosts New Jersey in the second of a three-game homestand.
There's no telling whether these acquisitions are the key to bring the Bruins back to life, however from a more positive standpoint they didn't move prized prospect Dougie Hamilton as well as forwards Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner who are all currently playing in the Ontario Hockey League.
Chiarelli told reporters Monday he never considered giving up Hamilton who is dominating the OHL with 17 goals and 46 assists in 41 games with the Niagara IceDogs.
Amanda Bruno can be reached at abruno@repub.com