Peter Chiarelli, Bruins GM

He is the general manager of the Boston Bruins Peter surely Peter it's -- Michael how aria. We're doing great and and your team it's certainly been doing a lot better since last we spoke.

Yeah where are I think we're not a whole we come together a bit down -- special being done some kind of go -- that -- the play him. And again the goaltending -- well.

Peter do you think there's anything specific about this turning around with the turnaround was -- coaching move for. Was it simply Tim Thomas hold it down and goal.

Although they haven't civic spirit our budget different than the couple that they've mentioned yet you know I haven't -- it I'm not going to bring new players do -- placed personality including head coach of bad. In you know it's going to take time and let them -- that's what they can them.

you know I was wondering about that as well Peter when when Dave Lewis came in you've got a whole new coaching staff you've got a bunch in new players how realistic was it for hockey fans to think that they were going to be able to hit the ground running starting the month of October

you know everyone's an optimist including myself well you'd like to think that. There that quick yell about but it would it seem them and that. But you know about the probability that doesn't happen have been -- more about them that you just feel little thing go I don't know what they're bad as we've played games. Elbow are placed saying god I think that the guys respect back -- the Gavin is Indy because he personality of the team now.

we talk to you before the season began. We have had a chance to speak with -- and -- toivonen was sent out what went into that thinking there of setting toivonen to Providence.

Well you know we are yet logical and a little bit and and you know I spoke about ten or a few times before we decide to do that and that well -- it -- made -- got -- The other expectations -- I -- there this year and that's -- helped did you go to another place where there's not much pressure him. And I have some fun and then I'd like -- kick out of Iraq -- and that's what we did he did get a minor injury MM but that they accomplished what we want to do.

And -- the problem is he arrives back here in Boston Tim Thomas is on a hot streak. You play every other day it's not like even have back to back games so I can see where it would be hard for Dave Lewis to get and it went to a game.

Well not a problem first day at you know they imply that laden is meg. Perfect you don't know get him and he's been actually it is what got back in practice has been great not that it ever has been and are he he's been that great you know -- is going to get a enemy gonna do well.

The two biggest free agent signings for your team in the off season you had a number of players that you added to the roster but the two biggest in terms of financial impact and and publicity. We're Zidane a chara and marks of bard had they -- what you expected so far.

Absolutely they've been out and more and dad they're only going to continue to get better -- meta data I've been out it's been great watching him -- that his whole the leadership role in the he's he's a monster series you've been you've been good to be employed and leave everything that I have seen before and about. And the came up quite -- of that. No wait a competitive guy that bad bad noted you hear the -- the compared know about it. Someone that belief we spent all the political real competitive guy and and the court the opposite camp that -- in the immediate dynamic player -- spoke.

All right now let's go there when Derek -- yet I.

okay. The -- GPS Sunday

how what are Peter not saying that you're going to make a trade but it you needed to make a trade do you feel like. Your salary cap position gives you the flexibility the flexibility that you need -- you're pretty close to the --

Well we have we have been healthy -- situation -- Rangers situation meant that. Give it to let give -- some -- now on the cap but you know we're we're certainly take from anyone and could shoot you know they've sent them back in -- that we want to make a trade -- right. Yeah I guess I -- amalgamated flexibility.

What are the chances that you'll be able to get brad Stuart signed to a contract before the season end

I can't really give you percentage I gave. I had some preliminary talks oh maybe in my official goal with Whitbread representative and in the plan what credit debt they return at that time planetary bet. Bigbie get back at him exit the other like saying they're like the coaches macro environment. And then you would get back what I've got a lot of dealing British representative you know we're and that we're on the same agent both turek goes but it certainly Upton it was thought that that Paul Bako let go on to law.

But I was gonna say if if you can get him signed you want to.

And Peter some franchises have policies where they don't discuss contracts during the season they'll do contract extensions. Do you have that policy I know this is your your first time being the head of an entire organization but is that what you want to establish here.

I am glad I did my eight my policy not to this -- suspended negotiations what I just disclosed Hewitt the fact that we -- at a preliminary basis. There'll because both come a lot down time we won't getting out of mean by that it got to respect to the other -- and sure they have that they respect for further by the Bruins so that that's the way I approached things.

You made a couple of of what at the time probably seem like minor moves and they ended up being I think a little more than that one was the acquisition of stand -- stop from Anaheim and the other was the recall of Peter ten crap. From the Providence Bruins. In your mind what did the addition of those two guys to your roster do for your team.

Well what I was trying to accomplish what we're trying to accomplish -- get accommodate. A third -- at -- or -- another line in addition to the top two that would increase speed and skill. And Adam and those two players you know have contribute. I didn't let go -- to do that that I haven't -- have very crafty player and great deck. Very good awareness and that's compete despite it it is tendency toward offensive offensive plays and pick that's got speed hey -- incredible shot especially with shot. I am so both of them have -- ingredient to that there like little noticed that put those in the middle and get them acclamation there and it you know it it it's gonna round notre -- forward -- given the other line. Oh -- blind Chad did you data about thoughtful.

Peter how would you describe. Built castles development at this point of his young career.

I think it's been very good I think he'd be -- is that -- eat it doesn't matter what mr. area any he'd been not so grandmother married and he knows wary about it but bad. -- expected -- you know further teenager he's he's like a sponge -- everything he's you know he's got years to improve but. I used you know he had I don't know -- keep -- game one play and you know he's a dynamic skater and he's you know he's big he's a very good -- so yeah I'm very happy -- what he's done and that don't expect there could be you know. Eric a lot of -- progressed there's still it will work on common you know -- player that who want to build the great player.

Where can be improved the most what's that number one improvement area in your in your opinion.

Well I get I don't talk to feel about it it affect his own coverage and battled -- all of most expected to DL you have to be strong we are you also have to positioning nowhere to be in them really -- with them and and they had those been actually been better -- don't yet to get better and you know he vitamin has been you know that through that whole thing when he started off in the NHL and you know he -- Gordon and there have been number about a young setters and and then they'll certainly evolved like category.

The world junior championships come up at the end of the month there was a report that the US team asked for permission to include castle on their roster. And you declined that permission is that because you feel he will develop better if he's here with your staff and playing on your team.

Well what is so much black and white -- I'd give direction I had a couple of discussions. They didn't expect that we would would -- in bed but still be available in the eastern Jamaica doormat they him -- development clear actually and he'd he'd jointly develop better. I would -- but having said that. And media I wobbled a bit in my mind a little bit because at the chance to represent your country -- in the next mayor Dan Kabila -- the the greatest tournament. Well done that and values you know he's I got a pretty good progression without some and he's important to -- game -- so well that equation and that's where we immelt.

What are your first moves in your capacity is as general manager was bring in Dave Lewis. What did you expect from Dave Lewis in year one and has he met those expectations at this point --

After really pinpoint exactly what I like I don't think it generally what I expect from -- to bring. To bring you fresh outlook from the -- and Q I am usually like call waiting Pitt bring --

It -- coach that you China.

And today fairly dramatic been Barrett professional that's what I expect it you eat you know I didn't I knew him -- picture through other equate that but it is work ethic is incredible and diminished that breaking down things. And I guess I guess spill response stadium has been I didn't know what to expect Barrett but it been very good.

Peter your primary focus is obviously on the product on the ice and and getting this team back to a winning situation at the same time. It is a business it is part of the entertainment business are you a little frustrated that the fans haven't taken to your product yet to the numbers you'd like to see them.

Yeah how little bit I am I am I can understand it. They're being -- hang over would every want to call it the negative good will whatever you want to call I can understand that whenever they're did that change ocean there's -- that preceded it that. Usually wasn't positive am going to make a patient that way and -- also understand that they want a winner and that but I get them a little about -- question -- them I'm just and a -- big part Akeelah is seeing how they they play and it really competed in and their -- victory -- the -- exciting it will come it will come.

Let me ask you this -- because when when guys take over losing franchise or franchises that haven't had the success that the fans expect. That thing you hear is we need to change the culture we heard the same thing from you and Dave Lewis how can you convince the fans that you have indeed changed the culture here.

Well you know what it's ultimately it -- it on the ice and you know and I've said before it took the job that -- here really know to a vacancy guys competing vacancy guys took character and I guess they don't want to see -- on a consistent basis over a longer period of time item and that the way to attract those players to keep both players is you know having a yeah. I kinder and gentler culture but it just they have figured that new outlook a positive outlook and that -- eventually exceed that and you know there. The end result is on the -- they -- see that on the product on the ice and and you know the players upstairs but at the end result the primary.

One of the guys who is on usual here were not used to seeing a guy like -- in terms of his workout regiment. Is he just any freak of nature or can you expect other players -- to captain -- they expect other players. To try to emulate what he does in the weight Roman and riding his -- 50 and 60 miles a day can you expect the guys other guys do that.

I think just sort of usage of the word breaker and the heat if you hit the it they can take exception to that I -- credit credit related in them. That spent partly are fairly -- growing under the leadership politte beat these guys never heard about a mr. them its work -- got a population another living German expecting it -- not a lot of guys. Very good incredible work aspects and try another some on the team to addition busy it's good this year were on the same page aren't true in that respect out. And that you know we knew that was part of a package he was coming here.

I think it's fair to say that that the team probably didn't get as much as expected early on this season from Marco Sturm Patrice Bergeron and brad boyes. Are you beginning deceive them starting to show the things that we saw here a year ago.

Yet though there have been playing -- playing better and have. I don't know why did I know -- inspect the mop together then he had his reasons that we're up behind him you put them back together in that part of that would. You know there's been a lot of pieces in the -- and you shop for a live -- and he put back together in have been playing better. You know they're I don't Ryan may have certain chemistry they've -- chemistry and I'd put them in the same category everything else when it over to change a new thing pit. They asked if he would collect the vehicle lineup they -- within the scheme and and and I think that's you know that's one of the reasons why they they -- they weren't going great at the beginning.

I know direct quote from you that there's not been as much talk around the league about deals here a blatant and he knew probably art in pursuit of deals as much as he might have been earlier. Is there something though that if you could you'd like to add to your team right now.

There always is in -- I'd be I'd be. A beat disclosing proprietary implication that I told you but that always strive to improve your team know without the -- collegiate what you act you do and you know you have -- You're young pocketed GM got a regular basis then you'd you'd feel it if there's it's somewhere in. It's just it's just -- on the environment what you know -- teams that are close to the cap and then standings -- so bunched up.

Final question as as dramatic as the changes have been on on the ice. It's almost safe to say this organization has had more changes off the ice you brought in people you've -- done that the scouting and and those areas are you satisfied with how those changes have gone so far.

Yeah absolutely yet though they've they've -- You know I don't want it it's it's it's very difficult implementing that stopped -- You know from a professional point of view -- a personal point of view and and bad I am very happy with the way things have gone and ask. You know and and you know -- again -- striving to do better and we still may have more change down the line but I'm really happy you have people reacted in have adapted in so they -- it it's been good so far.

Given your hiring pensions is bill Cleary next on your docket. -- more hard guys in there.

Like -- whatever guys that you are. What did -- this crimp in my yet stopped as is getting close to call me being Italian and that might put together.

Peter we appreciate the time congratulations on the turnaround for your team of late we'll look forward to watching in place some more. Thanks Peter Peter chiarelli joining us via general manager of the Boston Bruins