Peter Chiarelli, Bruins GM

Joining us right now on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered as the general manager of the Boston Bruins. Peter sure rally Peter it's -- Michael how aria. I'm good I'm good expressed. Hey yeah I'm curious the NBA starts two weeks after the NHL does. The NBA trade deadline is today two weeks before the NHL trade deadline. All things being equal do you wish the NHL trade deadline was a little earlier so that if you did acquire a player he'd have more time to. A climate ties himself with what's going on here.

Yeah yeah and it was earlier they change it with the new CPA. Atom. The request of the players as part of the bargaining. So but the players did you escape. One place for a longer period of time. But it certainly -- to have a preemptive strike going to trade that is getting an earlier bitterly to -- the player Clement ties to team. That that is an advantage. You know to the pulling the chemistry of your team but they changed -- they had. It used to be in and around. Actually it was a have been a week earlier than that this week that the tidbit on -- beyond.

If Peter every now that I think back that first time we interviewed you I think fewer and studio. You're crazy enough to come in the studio with that -- what we music in the I think back that first interview and you were saying that you were you want to define. The type of player who had grit but also had skill and you admitted. There that it's tough to find a player like that who has that combination things like you have a team. That fits that that description to find.

Well we believe it's just been that the that's been a long journey but it's been Argentinian it's. To identify these players isn't really the hardest things to get those players. -- obviously. The draft is held to getting a player like total -- to and Stuart it's those players have that type of combination. No we. Lead the two players we got in. And the Brad Stuart trade kobasew in and best -- they have Specter that they have an element of great character and with -- skills. Why has it could compete level. And that really -- even shown no posters big bodies he's got that element to of course expect. Charities. The biggest heaviest meanest player in the NHL he's so she got that. You know it's it's it's hard to find that hard to get them. We've we've gotten a few we like to get some more. We just deal with the character issues are important especially it's but he -- gave it to grind in. -- legacy music Bryant of course of the past left just morbid Bryant. Do you need that you need that resiliency in need -- written and or working -- towards.

You mentioned Dennis -- we talked with him a couple weeks ago when he said. I was Macon Peter surely looked pretty shaky when I first got here because I didn't play well when you saw. What Wideman brought to the table when he first got the town did you say to yourself secretly. Oh. What did I do -- shipping Brad -- out of town.

Well certainly that's that what else said but we like we knew this kid had to at a real tremendous skills I -- Jimmy -- general manager drafted and beat him in Buffalo we watched him a lot since then and the book and it was pretty clear. He didn't perform well we gotta -- to shape. And you know what it was it was. He was shocked to be treated I think he was negotiating that deal with him as a two time. That is -- there any it is to circumstances -- pre campaign to army except that time. You know -- like certain I guess you haven't been that feeling but in edict yet the tremendous skills that and that they did compete level and we knew we had to work with them. And he's turned in you know he's he was -- yet he was terrific offensive player before he was lax in his own and it -- very risky and is that they had to dial down his his his -- taking. Of that first pass he's done that and so he's Easter -- are really good player and an act anyway and shot talk they're very very hard to fight.

Has Blake Wheeler surprised -- this year.

A little bit because. I didn't really have him in Carolina so maybe halfway through. Just to get you know it -- tradition he's been a bit of a late longer when he went from. High school Q mister Ichiro and -- the universe disorder he always took a little while to get climate ties so figured he'd. On the same tract especially by -- in a heck of -- development camp. And that we couldn't taken out of the lineup and you know he's had a couple of punts. Lately. But he rebounded well enough to be expected of a young player. And and he can't again he's a player you can't find his size can't find speed. He certainly was no surprise me it was a statistical are also we're lucky --

Not saying you're gonna make a move but if you were to make a move -- how much of flexibility. Do you have in terms of the cap to go out and get another player.

Well we have. We have. Almost. Probably over four million in -- what I oil TI's space it's that derivatives cap space. Doesn't mean you get paraded. Dollar and it it's really based on his contract gets in there. We have flexibility. We have. We have to be careful on the chemistry issue we've. We have we recognized a couple of others that we like to improve its. And you know I'd like to get a little bigger up front now. We have -- that size this year it but you know indicated the most playoff series against the host Bryant's beside a bitterness at a game. In -- that -- big strong forest where he would then I'd like to have more that. Again boast about -- goes out there but. And that's what appears.

We were just discussing this up before the break at the top of the hour in you can help us out -- this. You've been very clear that your preferences to find a left handed shooting forward wise that's so important to.

Well we lost Marco Sturm. And -- less and less each shot sport it's more on the power play Adam. Long one at first and foremost like to select spot where Markowitz. Secondly to have that left shot on the power play down low. You've seen couple guys just kind of issues if you're in in the net facing on his left side of -- download election you can protect the -- better from the play. And they -- estimated to be will be better to have. A more offensive. More established offensive. That shot that can -- and apparently so 2261 to replace Marco. The first -- secondly to have that human ability to put that forward on the power play unit.

go back this up and said about San Jose that we all saw that game and and they pulled away in the third period do you think that was more. Of an aberration or is it something that you just mentioned earlier that needs to be addressed because it might be overexposed. Some flaws when your team.

Well I I'm not amount over reacting to a immunized we knew that their -- very. There San Jose watched -- in Jersey -- in there'll -- teams extra teams Detroit's more puck possession team -- team. You know I mean they were waiting institute if you want to throw to excuses here waiting here for three days. They think -- They've been maxed out there after the Mac game because the rest the road trip they were so good. Tim had a couple of maybe you would want academic game. Saying you know he's not overreact to what you see the guys think they're ranked close to the guys the big forward to make it where you're defense down and so. It's always been an area where we wanted to improve. And and that just you know -- rated. Because size certainly helped along playoff. Webster's. Gestures so I'm not overreacting. They got some big guys and they you know an interesting reduce it finished checks. They've they've finished all the checks and that it is -- auto focus a little bit and I'm glad. Let the game and elected because it's certainly opened up the players' eyes.

Peter surely of the Boston Bruins is our guest here on Sports Radio the Bruins have had a great goaltending tandem this year both Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez. Are having spectacular years. Based on your experience in the game when it gets the playoff time. The you really have to have eight goaltender is it realistic to expect your going to split goaltending chores in the in the playoffs.

Well I think. I know I think I think he can't split goaltending chores but you certainly have to keep keep on top of that and if you know if if someone is struggling I think -- to have someone else ought to be very popular I think that's certainly an asset to your organization. Especially you know if if your parents her. Two -- force a playoff series to two to know that you have that depth in Bolton. Difficult and there's so. And I figured you know BC you have to go to guy in and it and but to know that you have that -- certainly reassuring.

Both of your goaltenders are on restricted free agents at the end of the season. Are you moving or have you moved towards getting one of them signed beyond this year.

I'm not going to comment on negotiations. But I think generally speaking at it would be prudent to say it's like it. But I of I don't idle comment publicly and on negotiation.

Pretend that's the private conversation. I graduated it isn't anywhere where this got my. I ask you about your head coach because on one hand. You hired Claude Julien because you saw what he had done and the path and you thought that would work for your team and I'm sure he's doing something. You know you learn from previous experiences. Is is he a better coach now when he was in New Jersey -- Montreal on if you believe so. How what was different.

Why I think he is better in America via a couple of examples I mean he's there's been Britain batters defensive zone coverage that's that's at least. Kind of progressed along you know stop stop that's why we. Among others that's why we hired him. But this year he's -- he's incorporated some offense and he's he's adapted to it he's changed. Style little bit and he's he's been successful oddities. Activated one defenseman on the -- This is. That two -- treatment -- set records for your chosen on the play a little deeper in the zone so it allows LaMarcus -- checked. Is there a couple weather changes set and he coaches they're. You know they don't like to change got a -- but he's so on the beach and change in now. And is willing to change in and that only bodes well after securing a playoff series in and sometimes not -- can make you. You have to have the ability is change in midstream shot that's at least he's improved in that sense in and that's been very deceit.

And we said this on the show before. That you've shown an ability to change two on one hand you yeah -- your first coach and you move on from him after one year you might be -- oh. I made a mistake and I don't really want to own up to what it's my first major hired I don't know I go to the owner and say this is not the guy how how did you do.

Well it wasn't pretty. I. I am. You know like these you have to admit that you -- mistaken and I'm in state and that it helped that if they help a lot that I -- it was tired the matchup of top my list coach -- with a bullet was closed so from. He was available in and and you know the order was understanding and that was that was very helpful because certainly their rookie GM Estes where coach afterward yeah. I'm -- here articles that you but -- It. I was lucky to have and ownership that was my understanding him and have some it and -- And an epic -- his second.

On the one hand you've got the best record in the National Hockey League so you could easily say we don't need to change anything this this team would be fine. Going into the playoffs on the other hand do you think there's a psychological. Benefit tier team to making some sort of a move at the trading deadline.

There's been teams that have made minor moves events. Stated this before when at a time when they made the one move picked up Brad May and there was a big part but liked it a good kind of back and chemistry part to the team. That. Sports figures it like it's psychological boost. You know what I think. I think what we need a bat someone asked innocently asked -- compatible chemistry -- and as a result -- obvious obvious psychological boost. You weren't looking at a like we did it if eight we'd like to advocate every team in in our position around a select add depth. It's if anything if you can't get you know as a certain impact except that maybe you're looking at and and so be it be nice to finish if the candidate and purposes only to do but we do that some that. Having said that you know there's -- We we've come a long way this year with this team in and I'd be perfectly comfortable if if that's so we had but I understand and -- listeners to address. And we're trying to.

Given the depth component that you just mentioned. In a perfect world then would you like to add both -- forward and defenseman to this team.

Well and a perfect world. Yeah I guess I guess that would be would be too nice additions. As a group of the players -- calm. And how they fit in by. If you do your rosters and restricted. After the trade deadline concede that as many as one. We also feel confident in that in -- and the depth that we have. -- sport defense and -- goaltenders in Providence so. You seem to arrest him up to seen. A lot of our players Providence Matt Lashoff. Johnny boy chart and -- It -- person supplied. Saint Pierre and evolved that in a while to our system so we're confident we've adapted the next to get depth. Slash experience that's that the and they expect so we can do would be the.

Sounds like Chris pronger to me what do you think and and it. He's available that's what I hear that's what I read.

You technical player. Big immediate -- go over well here at right alongside Zdeno Chara -- that because -- to play against.

Hey this is somewhat off topic and you've probably heard about this already. The Albany river rats were in a bus accident at 3:30 this morning in western Massachusetts. On their way home from their game at lol last night. Three players in the team broadcaster remain hospitalized the rest of the team has gone on to Albany. Early this morning. It's a scary thing and given the time of year when everybody's traveling I guess I'm surprised it hasn't happened more. But I'm sure it's a concern for every team when they've got in a minor league affiliates busing around the eastern United States in the middle of the winner.

Yeah and then that applies cheers yeah it's also because. Of these these guys they watch against got to watch a game in the league but at 1038 in. It's always whether demand northeastern regions of the states in Canada. Well we're fortunate having a team in Providence that the travel isn't as bad but. That the travel -- and -- in and of course you know at the -- can be pretty Terry when he gets. So meisters -- 93. So. I yeah I heard -- Communist Party in and haven't heard anything since. That went okay event and I'll let. People -- was hospitalized. Since but it is a concern in. And Adam. You hear you -- at least I hear more from from scouting fraternity but as game -- activities you don't utilized in. And with the players in the buses and drivers. Drivers so it it is it is a concern and certainly it's something that. That we he broke open.

And back on on hockey topic for a moment here in and mentioning Providence again. Are you concerned that Tuukka Rask has now at this point probably proven all he can prove that the American Hockey League level and that realistically. He can't beat on back to the NHL next year.

Am -- concerned about that yup -- yet won a championship yet yeah Terry price what a championship. Not and then not being expressed here are just like -- he's he's been in two years at least he's developed very nicely. And it comes a point when there's diminishing returns down there were yet to be. Yes to ply his trade against that the best competition and.

And that's -- when I was talking about as well.

Yeah and he's going to practice everyday and and against the best competition. That's how you get to the next level so. He's he's just he's really developed well. We're lucky to have in a position player that we had the you know two goalies appear that we count on and and we don't have to. Throw to commit to the fire so to speak in that can hurt -- a proposed development so. Anywhere you know we're going to have to make some decisions too is pushing -- and you know it you you there's a good chance of human in the Bruins have next year.

Now Peter the Alex Rodriguez situation. -- caused us yesterday on the -- to compare. Drug policies league to league and we were looking at -- NHL and NBA. And and pointing out that you don't hear anything from the NBA you don't hear anything from the NHL. And I know that the NHL is your sport your league why do you think. You don't have a lot of incidents or. There's not a lot of -- to use the commissioner's word baseball. Brought the hockey players when it comes to performance enhancing drugs.

Well there. I don't think -- we have we've had two terrific program and places that I guess status public. Just because there hasn't been as many athletes. That have been exposed. But certainly that -- and all the commissioner and his staff participated almost finished hearings in with the steroids. The -- issues there has been brad bird has been tested although it was in in the international hockey. Field. Positive for steroids so it is. I mean it it's. Again the day it's probably not a sport where these things can really truly. Help but that's prioritize prevalent but I know that the systems -- place in just it's just more behind the scenes because there hasn't been as many. Of the there's been as many players -- it there's been guilty of.

Final question from me if you put -- if you put a number -- what are the chances that the Bruins make a trade. Between now and that march 4 trading deadline.

I see. It is sixty to sixty to 75%.

So -- auto trade you'd like to make a deal with you cat I liked yes it would. We appreciate your time congratulations on a spectacular season so far and best of luck to you guys the rest of the way. Eric expressed take -- your -- Peter surely as the general manager of the Boston Bruins joining us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T your world delivered.