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 -- expressed. Hey yeah I'm curious the NBA starts two weeks after the NHL -- The NBA trade deadline is today two weeks before the NHL trade deadline. All things being equal the 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 -- earlier they change with the new CPA. Atom. The request of the players as part of the bargaining. So that the players did you escape. One place for a longer period of time. But it certainly is two to two to have a preemptive strike at a trade that is getting an earlier bitterly to get the player climate 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 -- have been a week earlier than that this week that the tidbit on is beyond.

If Peter every now -- I think back that first time we interviewed you think you're in studio. You're crazy enough to come in the studio with this what -- music and I think back that first interview and you're 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 hard Germany and its. 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 Stewart it's those players have that type of combination. No we. -- the two players we got in. And the Brad Stuart trade kobasew in and best -- they have Specter that they have in -- a great characters and with development of skills. Why has it could compete level. And that really is even shown no posters big bodies he's got that element to of course expect. Charities whose. The biggest heaviest meanest player in the NHL. Is so she -- 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 its but he -- gave it to grind in. Keep legacy music Bryant of course of the past left just more Bryant. Do you need that you need that resiliency in need decorate. And or working Airways towards.

You mentioned Dennis Rodman 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 sort of what else said but we like we knew this kid had to at a real tremendous deals that. Jimmy -- assistant general manager drafted and beat him in buffalo we watched a lot since then and the book and it was pretty clear. He didn't perform while we gotta -- shape. And you know what it was it was. He was shocked to be treated -- was negotiating that deal was seen as a two time. And that is -- Eight it is to circumstances -- pre campaign to army except that time. You know -- certain I guess you haven't been that feeling but in music is tremendous skills that and that they did to people -- and we knew we had to work with them. And -- you know he's he was -- yes he was terrific offensive player before he was lax -- and it was very risky and is that they had to dial down his his his -- taking. On that first past he's done that and so he's he's turning into a really good player and an act anyway and shot talk they're very very hard to fight.

Has Blake Wheeler surprise to this year.

A little bit because. I didn't really have him in their line up so maybe halfway through. Just to get you know that -- traditionally he's been a bit of a late longer when he went from. High school QMR Ichiro and then -- in the universe disorder he always took a little while to get privatize so I figured he'd. On the same track especially by -- in a heck of -- development camp. And that we couldn't take him out of the lineup and you know he's had a couple of points. Lately. But he rebounded well enough to be expected of a young player. And you know you can't again he's a player you can't find his sides can't -- speed. Certainly was no surprise that uses statistical are also we're lucky --

Not saying you're gonna make a move but if you were to make a move -- how much -- 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 the what I oil TI's space it's. Derivatives cap space. It is media incorporated. Dollar and it is really -- talk Checketts and there. We have flexibility. We have. We have to be careful on the chemistry issue we've. We -- we recognize the bears we'd like to improve its. And you know I'd like to get a little bigger up front now. We have to prove that size this year it but you know when you get in the most playoff series against the host Bryant's beside a -- San -- game. In Arabic that the big strong forest where he would then I'd like to have more. Again boast about mail those out there but. That's what appears.

We were just discussing this before the break at the top of the hour -- 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 so shot sport it's more on the power play Adam. Law would want to do first foremost and like to select spot where Markowitz. Secondly to have that left shot on the power play down low. You've seen couple guys kind of issues -- in in the -- facing down his left side of the net download election you can protect the -- from the play. And they placed on making it to be will be better to have. A more offensive. More established offensive. -- shot effective a complete 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 overly exposed. Some flaws when your team.

Well I I'm not amount over reacting to a immunized we knew that their bacon very. There San Jose -- passengers -- in there'll be teams extra teams to -- more puck possession team -- team. You know I mean they were waiting institute if you want to throw excuses are waiting here for three days. They think -- They've been maxed out their -- Mac game because the -- the road trip they were so -- Kim 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 its size certainly helped it 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. It is finished all the checks and that it is -- auto focus a little bit and I'm glad. Let the game and the -- acted because it certainly opens 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 -- going to split goaltending chores in the in the playoffs.

Well I think. No 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 he to have someone else ought to be very popular -- that's -- an asset to your organization. Especially you know if if you're preparing her. Two -- force a playoff series to two to know that you have that that ample time. 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 debt which is 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. It would be prudent to say it's like it. But I of I don't idle comment publicly and on negotiation.

The protest that's the private council or cabinet that is it isn't anywhere where this got my. I ask you about your head coach because on one hand. You hired Claude Julian because you saw what he had done in 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 east is in Britain batters defensive zone coverage that's that's at -- And have progressed along you know stop stop that's why we. Among -- that's why we hired him. But this year he's. He's incorporated some offense and he's he's adapted to -- changed. Style little -- and he's he's been successful oddities. Activated one defenseman on the crash. -- That too -- treated -- for a year in Jerusalem a little deeper in the zone so it allows LaMarcus -- checked. These these -- weather changes -- and he coaches they're. You know they don't like to change got to -- and east Germany and change in now. And is willing to change in and that only bodes well America's Internet play have serious in and sometimes not -- can make you. You have to have the ability is changing midstream -- that -- he's improved in that sense in and that's been very based --

And we said this on the show before. That you've shown an ability to change two on one hand you yeah hire 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. Like. I am. You know like these you have to admit that you -- mistaken and I'm in state and it -- that if they help a lot that piracy was -- the -- at the top -- coach this with a bullet was quote so from. He was available in and and you know the order was understanding and that was that was very helpful because certainly -- rookie GM -- coach afterward. I'm certainly articles that you but it talks. It. I was lucky to have and ownership that was my understanding him and have some it and -- And and make it is so.

On the one hand you've got the best record in the National Hockey -- 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 -- the one move picked up Brad May and there was a bit part but like -- 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 Gigabeat someone asked innocently asked be compatible chemistry wise and as result of 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 -- select add that. 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 if if if the -- Damon and this is so we can do but we do that some that. Having said that you know various. We we've come a long way this year with this team in and I'd be perfectly comfortable as if that's so we had but I understand the -- like 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 this team.

Well and a perfect world. Yeah I guess I guess that would be it would be too nice additions. As -- group of the players that are com. And how they fit in by. You know you you rosters and restricted. After the trade deadline see that as many as one. We also feel competent and that in Europe and the depth that we have. Export defense and equal to enter in Providence so. You seek to arrest him up -- a lot of our players Providence Matt Lashoff. Johnny boy chart and dissension. It's seen. Cutesy person supplied. -- evolved fitted well to our system so we're confident we've adapted the next to get that. Slash experience that's European that 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.

These -- actual player. Big immediate -- go over well here -- right alongside Zdeno Chara who had yet that because every attempt do go to play against.

Hey this is somewhat off topic and you 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 -- winner.

Yeah and then that applies to -- scale it's also because there's these these guys we watch against got to watch a game in the league but two and 38 in. It's always weather demand north eastern regions of the state in Canada. Well we're fortunate having a team in Providence that the travel isn't as bad but. That the travel into being by busts in and of course you know at the hike can be pretty Terry when he gets. Some oysters -- as can directory. So I -- I yeah I heard -- Communist Party in and haven't heard anything since. That -- okay it and annulment. Two people epic was hospitalized and that -- but it is a concern in. And Adam. You hear you'd at least I hear more from from scouting paternity but as -- you don't utilized in. And with the players in the buses there's 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 -- all he can prove that the American Hockey League level and that realistically. He can't be going back to the NHL next year.

Am -- concerned about that -- EA has yet won a championship yet yeah -- price what a championship. Not and then not being expressed here are just like he he's he's been in two years -- used to develop 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 Andy's going to practice every day and and against the best competition. That's how you get to the next level so. He's he's he's really developed well. We're lucky to have in a position -- that we had the you know two goalies appear that we cannot and and we don't have to. Throw to commit to the fire so to speak in that can hurt by a proposed development so. Anywhere you know we're going to have to make some decisions to his pushing -- and you know it you -- you there's a good chance of -- in the -- next year.

Now Peter the Alex Rodriguez situation. Caused us yesterday on the show to compare. Drug policies league to league and we were looking at the 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 -- your sport nearly why do you think. You don't have a lot of incidents or. There's not a lot of -- to use the commissioners -- baseball. Brought to hockey players when it comes to performance enhancing drugs.

Well there. I don't think oh we have we have a 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 we've and all the commissioners and staff participated almost finished hearings in with with steroids. The -- issues there has been brad bird has been tested although it was in the in the international hockey. -- Positive for steroids so it is. Beat it it's. Again the -- 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. There's been as many players -- it there's been guilty of.

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

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

So -- auto trade you'd like to make a deal with the 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 -- take -- your -- Peter surely as the general manager of the Boston Bruins joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered.