Peter Chiarelli

Back here on the big show up he shepherded today for Lionel Larry Johnson is here she comic out of the Providence journal is down in Fort Myers and joining us. The general manager of the red hot Boston Bruins Peter surely good afternoon Peter -- Larry and show on with you this afternoon how you doing it. Well outside before the 4 on one road trip four straight losses at home but this team right now after that. Maybe the bako is playing some of the best hockey as good -- hockey as anybody in the NHL after this road trip and of course the two home wins. Last night had a great win over Pittsburgh in a couple nights ago over Ottawa outscored the points and two games 91. What has led us to this turn around here from early February.

Well I mean I would've caught it in real terms I don't we've lost those four but we. For the most part we've been pretty consistent this year with that are with their work effort and work ethic and their. And every night and so you know you gotta go through those periods we have a game that that but. On the last 8910 games we -- that a bit and word no word. I think -- to taste a little bit and I think there and it's showing quote defensive system now has allowed them to have them more confidence -- their offense because they know what they have defensively so. It's it's been pretty refreshing to see.

Why give back quicker just to the trading deadline -- today and it's an old cliche in sports but it's true a lot of ways the harder still to make -- one that you don't make him. I thought she did the right thing by standing pat and -- going to side. Posted to a long term like the deal that to me that make any sense that to make that kind of movement when -- your feeling about it.

I can't can't really predict what accurate record to react to say that we're we're down a couple of things and and one of the one of the things involved that -- or that they involved. I younger players and we just became an a decision one who really going in the that they that they -- it was a home run. From both sides of the -- that that work in the as satisfied with. Chemistry we have and you know what we are satisfied with the the programs -- very and guys in the rules of their and so. You know the deal what you're talking but I can't comment but I I can't say that. That's we were in the mix up a couple of deals and at the end that they we in the --

Peter could you confirm that one of the deals you would have liked to make involved. Wanting to get a guy who was -- USA extended and you were unable or unlikely to do that.

That but that. I kicked him for that I don't want to get in the but he -- but.

While it in a general sense Peter would would you say that teams were less likely. To do rentals because that could -- and Forsberg deals didn't deliver as the team's.

Yeah lot a lately all of that we had a lot of the kind of discussions supplanted him in Naples. He talked of -- and same thing especially now in this system. You're really at that nurtured those young players -- use -- probably at an earlier stage of development. Because the gap is widening between those that level of opposite players and any impact players. You really have it's stock bulls players and have to use of and yet these them or quickly so they're very very valuable more valuable than. Course yet what what the Atlantic deal and via -- that you referred to it in you can get I think it up pretty quickly in -- position.

Peter you're under a lot of criticism are the pressure last year when you decided to go on a different directions and then Dave Lewis. And people wanted a big names they wanted to Milbury they wanted a quote from a lot of name recognition and you weren't quick Claude Julien. In I think the guy's done a terrific job this series kind of flown under the rate do you feel vindicated.

Well I mean I've been criticized for that him and and of the statements but it is -- is what I know what quote. Is that they had them from a long time before would we are a lot younger and I've seen what he's done. And -- rocket's minor hockey and I was very comfortable with -- he can provide. And especially if he if you look at it from a couple. Take a step back and look at their team know what we're we're maybe we're deep sense -- But and and we have probably right now we'll only do we have the best defensive player rocket and I think the best defensive accurate positive and chair. So you have it is it would -- you to depths of quoted you know it's thirteen because of we are -- patiently he's and so. I'm he's had a quote been great this year and I I think he should be -- the here and use an outstanding job and and a little understated which is nice but he's still like the message is clear of the players the result of.

Why -- have a Washington coach are those years in Ottawa he had last year and with a big contract and everything under though Dave Lewis it just seemed. He just seemed totally out of it and all fat facets of the game and this year is complete 180 I think Claude Julien. Predicted at the beginning in the -- you -- you watch Zdeno Chara this year. He's going to have a fantastic year and I actually grew to 100 -- Peter. Right now he's playing if he's not the best defenseman in the in the NHL is certainly the best 1 in the Eastern Conference.

The only one that the only one that might be better is Lidstrom -- and up but right now I recently you know it's the best defense in jail. There -- he's been super this year. Adam and just a man among boys that we have in about that -- very passes. Pastors that. He mean and the like -- uncles but that that.

Peter YE such a better year in his second year than his first what was it too many minutes last year. Trying too hard to justify the deal why is he played. This year more like the guy that the Bruins were signing -- did in his first season.

Well it's it's a bit of a lot of things -- and first is. Have city you know I think you'd see a lot different and better game parks or for that reason also. If you know maybe you're just -- to a minute and a half two more minutes to plaster but they were hurt and it. Replace -- claps in the zone and it and he had to let chasing last year a lot of repeated so those were hurt and he's very conscientious -- ovals last year and it was. If -- do so this year there's more structure the players around him. That is what there's -- they've grown as players. The strip -- so lot of different factors he's playing right now he's playing significantly better. And his bass player Ottawa. I've ever seen the offensive side of the confidence that.

What I like about last night's game in and I was I was I was watching it in any particular and offers great point about the team extended that neutral zone last night. Which which actually created scoring opportunities that none better than that goal the second period dioxin and get them but what a player was by from -- And and and -- Barton in running the icing call that was just that was one of the gold level you never see any it's the end but I thought it was a spectacular spectacular play -- the whole -- develop.

That you know and marks a very it's -- if he's there and and you know I think any took that hit but I hurt -- a.

I thought it was her I'll be honest with his face smashed into the boards. That's an envoy here in general --

Burton Gordon had Thornton or over vaccines so that I apparently that's a good example of kind of what thirteen. It's been real from Mark -- that -- checked it isn't that bad -- fact that real well.

Peter as you salute the job that that -- Julian has done in his first year your your six points off the conference lead with with a bottom months ago in the season. When you look at the man games lost than not just the number but the identity of the guys who have contributed because of injuries very little. You know -- to be in this position. Without arguably your best player for much of the season in your best overall player Bergeron with a guy who you thought. Could maybe become your number one goaltender. With the significant. Chunks of time lost by a top four defenseman and now berths and a quarter of the season lost by arguably your best goal scorer in Murray. It's it's it's pretty amazing that you war where you are given who you played without.

Yes it is really it is and you know yeah it's a real you look at the guy to replace you know at any mention of -- Manny and it to him and so -- turn one and one of these so attempts and has really stepped his game. But bit quieter and his form has been more quiet. More efficient to enable you or -- and you've -- the young guys to keep up but the creek -- but because oh gallant -- first four years and packed Cassell -- more. -- game and more than he's he's taking it to make plays but you've got this huge group that have been very. Very impressive -- and that there you know make it make mistakes now -- but the buying into. The buying the close programs do it. You know and it you know what and it's really it's fabric cliche but -- there's an out of trust that favorites in the players. And -- just that is playing as a team and -- last night. I've seen it the last accident all year is slowly and fooled by and last -- in the game it's really. To the -- you know we've still got some work left to do it most of -- happen.

Well and another guy on the -- always play of love to watch now is is which it shouldn't be the government to last night the third period that the fans into it. I mean that did the fans love that kind of guy Terry Riley type that is now. -- throw the body around a little bit and set up the score here and there once in awhile and he's he's he's just a lot of fun to watch it together a lot of but Carriker to your jockey team.

Yet he's and it's you know I didn't mention that Andrew bird he -- the other guys kinda came up as. -- has to -- to replace guys but. He's used is unique player he's. So big and so strong on the park and you know what do what is unique about him is that. That now he's turning down fights but now players are challenging and he has to learn to turn them down. Because now he -- that the opening it this year but. And the next you know yet turned down by -- guys -- prove themselves against it's about that in itself is unique. That of course is not that the game is coming in you'd say it worked a lot what is that the and -- very -- influence bounces very you know just little things -- in the -- the wall and playing making quick in the standings are active in the -- to. So it's it's. You'd be unique player that in the last thing what is. Posts by big but that's good -- regarded he's an actress you know on the -- club and the --

Especially you're up 521 that you know it's it's even better. Yeah and Peter he certainly is not mentioned with the elite yet with the likely at some -- your fantastic but I I think Tim Thomas has given you some pretty steady. Goaltending this year he's managed to come up with some saves to keep the team in the in the game can you comment about him.

Yeah yeah I -- catalytic little bit earlier he's. He's he's had a very good year and he's benefited too much like he's benefited from playing in the quote Tim has to because now he knows what the -- cup. What we keep the -- you know size and knows where they're coming from and it's not as busy. Q did you making him very acrobatic according. And he and that it is now -- even that much better allies go tumbling out I think these squared it up are not. Not spinning more. And these -- these boundaries. And while we've seen spectacular saves I bet you we don't -- in the -- so last year.

new to town leave it in keeping it its simplest terms of possible where we're at some of the changes that the coach has me this year. Well.

really two things that. Sticker to me there is one Yankees implemented its call box -- one. That's where the zone defense so when I said earlier that. Either run around as much -- because last year we wanted to -- have been of his own but we we had -- it's always finish the check. So what happens is and it's tempting for a defenseman that we your vote to finish check in the puck leaves. A year out you're taught to finish that check it usually you'd do but and and it's true zone -- you have to be able lay out. -- to get back to your position and then trust that the other guy will.

A couple of guys it would have been that but that's been really conserve a lot of energy. And it's been a real it's real foundation -- defensive coverage the second thing is that we've had as much exercise like -- like. -- there is trapped more last. We've we've been we've been more aggressive fore -- went in the pocket that's true that's the the -- it's so. That's allowed us to to create some offense and then at that made it makes sense or in the post things it -- in the here. In the biggest systematic thing it -- that is created different.

He'd -- you wanted to get goal scoring if you could make a trade at a reasonable price last week and didn't. Though the team has scored better the last couple weeks are still I think in the bottom five of goals scored. And as you know it gets even harder to score in the post season. Do you feel you have enough. Talented and natural goal scorers to be able to break through that if you make the playoffs.

I do I actually -- I think I think Glenn is going to pick it up but he he's been hurt anyway actors stretch. Slow start and got and I know he's going to score in the conference we're going to get those schools. Our power plays in slowly rising up the rankings were getting better on the sharply and you know little adjustment flipping. There's been quite an error. The the top of like. And there were articles where we don't have outside of glen and checks got a very good shot grave marker that's I think these guys can. These guys can contribute to pick up their games. You know what I think we can play a game that that play out you'd seen them it's clear that that this year so. You know we're not going to blow the doors off -- playoff game -- that in his growth low scores they have but. I think we're gonna get timely scoring and I think apparently is.

You know lots of guys -- set a record where by players told moved during the deadline but the one trade that I still don't understand and I did jumping jacks and you might have to what -- of -- traded from Montreal. The Washington I don't get it. But it got to be happy.

Well I mean we're playing wants. My dates so probably face -- but that. Again I know Bob better reason for doing that and terrible it is. It was surprising to me and that.

Use a good goalie and if that mantle -- you again here one year old as a risky proposition that price is going to be a heck of a quote.

Peters we kind of goalies what's the health status with Manny Fernandez in do you expect anything out of him this year.

Yeah I I I I think so he would he would -- in the morning and you looked pretty good so I I think -- officially he wants to come back so I mean timetable wise -- ahead of schedule in May be back before the end of the regular season. So you'd immediate chance that -- we'll have to see a lot of things. Shape up. They get some gains rate this season and you know what -- any -- is. Good step and he's back out in the right place -- that furcal and --

You are good -- do you assign on a percentage basis. The chance that Patrice Bergeron plays at all again this year.

I would -- Pretty good too I I'd say let's say 30%.

And we are no aggression this before a few months ago now we're last year again but because of the success of the Red Sox in the patriots in now. The Celtics -- best record in the NBA. How much added pressure do you feel not only just to make the playoffs obviously but to become relevant again in this city which has not been the case for the Bruins and in quite some time.

Well you know I -- there's there's pressure but it's really Paramount that we expect there. Last and and that overtime and it won't be along your time -- that overtime people will be the team have truly really competitive along likes of the that's Celtics and you can see as tournament or this year he conceded growth of these young players are more young players coming back the team coming together. Like we talked switcher and -- expect here's the contract so there's certain to become more so we're turning the corner. I can't say the question that we're going to be in that upper echelon. In a year but I I do know that we're going in the right direction here and some. Good young players come to verses women and I think I think their defense well.

Well people talking about the team again and that's the that's a start because that wasn't the case last year certainly -- before that so it's great to see that's when he streak it's tomorrow Atlanta tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock. And last night's game was sold out I imagine as as -- streak continues to be alot more for into the garden. Yet -- coming back commit it's good to see. Argue thanks so much for joining us in the which the best luck the rest of the way thanks thanks he's -- Eric thank you minister -- general manager of the Boston Bruins