TV Schedule for the Bruins and Flyers...

Game 1, at Philadelphia, Sat. April 30, 3 p.m. (NBC)
Game 2, at Philadelphia, Mon., May 2, 7:30 p.m. (VERSUS)
Game 3, at Boston, Wed., May 4, 7 p.m. (VERSUS)
Game 4, at Boston, Fri., May 6, 8 p.m. (VERSUS -- joined in progress)
x-Game 5, at Philadelphia, Sun., May 8, 3 p.m. (NBC)
x-Game 6, at Boston, Tues., May 10, TBD (VERSUS)
x-Game 7, at Philadelphia, Thu., May 12, TBD (VERSUS)
x-if necessary

Chiarelli trying to make a deal

The Bruins are starved for goals and now are looking to make a trade, Chiarelli should have thought about that before he failed to sign Kessel. The problem is that the team never replaced the goals that they lost when Kessel scored his big deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs this fall. The Bruins really don't have the room under the cap for KIlya Kovalchuk. You know your team is in trouble when Blake Wheeler is second on the team in scoring.

Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said Wednesday he is working the phones trying to make a deal ahead of the Feb. 12 Olympic roster freeze and the March 3 trade deadline.

"I'm looking every year [to make trades], but maybe more so this year because of the way we performed," said Chiarelli. "Having said all that, we want to be in the playoffs and we want to succeed in the playoffs."

The Bruins, who have lost five straight and currently sit one point out of a playoff spot, have plenty of ammunition at their disposal in trade talks. They have nine draft picks in the first two rounds over the next two years, including a pair of first-rounders courtesy of the Phil Kessel trade in September (Toronto sent over a first-rounder for both 2010 and 2011). Some of those picks are in play.

"But I can tell you one thing, I'm not trading Toronto's pick [for this year]," said Chiarelli. "I am not trading it. That pick is too valuable."

The Leafs are 28th in the overall standings, so that asset looks more like a lottery pick, which could wind up being the first overall selection.

While Chiarelli refused to discuss any specific names, another NHL source told ESPN.com the Bruins are very much in the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes along with Los Angeles, in particular. While Vancouver, Philadelphia and Chicago also have reported interest, it appears the Bruins and Kings are the front-runners at this point.

But will anyone pay the price? The Atlanta Thrashers reportedly are looking for a package that includes a first-round pick, a prospect and a player from their NHL roster.

Kovalchuk, who is among the NHL's leaders with 56 points in 46 games this season, is an unrestricted free agent July 1. [ESPN.COM]

Michael Komisarek vs Milan Lucic

I just got to watch this game between the Bruins and the Canadians (I was heading to the deer camp and didn't get to see it live) and if this game and fight doesn't fire Bruins fans up you have to be dead. Lucic is animal and he works former Michigan Star Michael Komisarek over. I guess next time Komisarek won't be so quick to challenged Lucic to a fight.

Patrice Bergeron to rejoin the Bruins

Last season the Bruins lost one of their star offensive players Patrice Bergeron due to a very questionable hit from behind from Randy Jones in late October, Jones was given what I would consider a very light two game suspension. Bergeron's season was over in October and the Bruins played on without Patrice Bergeron. Even without Bergeron the Bruins still made the playoffs and took the Montreal Canadians to seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before bowing out. I can't imagine that Bergeron could have made the differnce. This season the Bruins have a healthy Patrice Bergeron ready to rejoin the team.

Will Patrice Bergeron be...Patrice Bergeron?
Allan Muir INSIDE THE NHL
The image of Bergeron lying motionless against the boards, victimized by an illegal hit from behind, haunted Boston fans throughout a season that saw the team take significant steps toward legitimacy even without its best forward. And while there had to be a temptation to bring him back for the playoff push and the first round -- a loss to the Canadiens --the Bruins brass wisely held Bergeron out, keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Now we'll see if their patience pays off.

Outside of Marian Hossa in Detroit, the return of a healthy Bergeron could be the most impactful addition any team makes to its lineup this season. Slotted as the No. 2 center behind Marc Savard, he has the offensive chops to chip in 80 points, and the defensive skills to asset himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the conference.

But the ability to play the body is a critical component part of Bergeron's game. Even if the flesh is willing, there's no way of knowing if the spirit is weak without seeing if Bergeron will hesitate, even slightly, before going into the corners or initiating contact.

But even at 75 percent, Bergeron makes Boston a better team. He needs to be 100 percent, both physically and mentally, for the Bruins to move forward.

Here's a look at the Bruins' top prospects: Blake Wheeler

Someone had this posted over on uscho.com. Check out what John McGourty had to say about Blake Wheeler; one of the Bruins new players.

Bruins aim to keep young talent flowing John McGourty
NHL.com Staff Writer

WINGS

Blake Wheeler -- The Coyotes drafted Wheeler with the No. 5 pick in 2004. He played three years at the University of Minnesota, then chose not to sign with Phoenix and informed Minnesota he wouldn't be returning. He signed a free-agent contract with Boston on July and will attend both development camp and training camp.

There may be a very good reason why Wheeler wanted to play with the Bruins. He was Phil Kessel's linemate at Minnesota in 2005-06, when he had nine goals and 14 assists in 39 games. Wheeler had 42 goals and 54 assists for 96 points in 127 games with the Golden Gophers in his three seasons. He led the team in scoring last season with 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 44 games and was named to All-WCHA third All-Star team. Wheeler also won the team's playoff MVP award.

Wheeler had two goals in seven games for the United States at the 2008 World Junior Championship.

"We felt very fortunate to be in the mix of teams that got to talk to Wheeler," Sweeney said. "That was a unique situation that put him in place to declare unrestricted free agency. He made an independent decision. We had a great, positive meeting with him and he showed a lot of character. He was seeking a team where he felt comfortable. Those were his words.

"Blake is a big guy who is getting bigger and stronger. He said he wants to develop into the player he knows he can become and we will help him do that. We're planning to move him to the wing as a professional. He played center last year in college. We want him to use his size and strength along the wall."

"He was very honest in his self-evaluation, saying he needs more time. But we don't discount any player's chances of coming in and doing the job."