Players Pay Attention
Monday, 02.27.2012 / 8:13 AM
/ Features
By John Bishop
- BostonBruins.com
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BOSTON, MA -- The Boston Bruins practice today in Wilmington's Ristuccia Memorial Arena, but With the NHL's trade deadline just hours away –- prior to and immediately following the skate –- chances are good that many members of the club will be keeping close tabs on the comings-and-goings of players throughout the NHL.
"Players can always say, ‘Oh yeah I don’t pay attention,’ but I think [they're] lying to you or themselves," said forward Chris Kelly. "I think leading up to the trade deadline, I think players know or have an idea if they’re going to be moved –- not going to be moved –- and what’s best for the team."
Last year, Kelly, along with forward Rich Peverley and defenseman Tomas Kaberle, was acquired at the trade deadline and all three players became important parts of the Bruins Stanley Cup championship squad.
Kelly, in particular, was a bit of a surprise to be moved, as he had been a long-time member of the Ottawa Senators. Drafted by the Sens in the 3rd round (94th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. But when other long-standing Senators were given new addresses, Kelly said the writing was on the wall.
"Yeah, I think when Mike Fisher got traded, that was a real eye opener for the entire team – a guy that’s been there for so long that anybody can be moved," said Kelly. "I was kind of given a heads up the day I got traded, but by no means did I know where I was going or if I was going.
"When I was told I was coming to Boston, it was honestly a big sigh of relief going to a good team that’s in the east, and had a chance...to be playing in the post season."
The trade certainly made Boston better, while Kelly added 2-3-5 totals in 24 regular season games, the veteran center added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 25 playoff games.
"That’s what GMs try to do – what’s best for the team," said Kelly. "That’s the whole aspect of the trade deadline, they see where their team is at and want to see the pieces they may need, or the pieces they want to move and build for the future.
"Or, they got a great chance this year and push for it."
Sounds familiar. Stay tuned...^BISH
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| Kelly |
Last year, Kelly, along with forward Rich Peverley and defenseman Tomas Kaberle, was acquired at the trade deadline and all three players became important parts of the Bruins Stanley Cup championship squad.
Kelly, in particular, was a bit of a surprise to be moved, as he had been a long-time member of the Ottawa Senators. Drafted by the Sens in the 3rd round (94th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. But when other long-standing Senators were given new addresses, Kelly said the writing was on the wall.
"Yeah, I think when Mike Fisher got traded, that was a real eye opener for the entire team – a guy that’s been there for so long that anybody can be moved," said Kelly. "I was kind of given a heads up the day I got traded, but by no means did I know where I was going or if I was going.
"When I was told I was coming to Boston, it was honestly a big sigh of relief going to a good team that’s in the east, and had a chance...to be playing in the post season."
The trade certainly made Boston better, while Kelly added 2-3-5 totals in 24 regular season games, the veteran center added five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 25 playoff games.
"That’s what GMs try to do – what’s best for the team," said Kelly. "That’s the whole aspect of the trade deadline, they see where their team is at and want to see the pieces they may need, or the pieces they want to move and build for the future.
"Or, they got a great chance this year and push for it."
Sounds familiar. Stay tuned...^BISH
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