Mara, saying he had no idea he would be traded, looked ashen when he returned to Ristuccia to pack his gear. Boyes, who left the rink thinking he'd survive yesterday's 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline, said he was disappointed to leave Boston.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, during a press conference at TD Banknorth Garden, said he made both moves to improve the team's defense, which has allowed 224 goals this season, second in the league behind the Philadelphia Flyers (235 entering last night ). As of yesterday, the Bruins were in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, 7 points out of the last playoff position .
"I'm confident we can make a very good run at it," said Chiarelli. "We've got teams to jump over, which is difficult, especially with the 3-point games. I'd like to think that our defense will be a better puck-moving unit now. That's really going to help our chances."
By making the trade with the Rangers, the Bruins saved $250,000 in salary next season (Mara will earn $3 million, Ward $2.75 million). They also cleared some money by dealing Boyes, who comes with a $1.5 million cap hit next season. Wideman, who earns $473,000 this season, will be a restricted free agent next season. Because of that, the Bruins must give Wideman a qualifying offer that is 110 percent ($520,300) of his current salary.
Instead of obtaining draft picks -- and thereby clearing even more salary space -- Chiarelli said he wanted to get immediate help. "Part of the rationale in the [Brad Stuart] deal and these two deals was to have players who can help us now, in the short term and the mid term," Chiarelli said. "I feel we have the depth, both in unsigned draft choices and in Providence. For example, David Krejci came up, and game to game, he played better. So that's just the glimpse of the depth we have."
