" Our leadoff hitter today Peter surely Boston Bruins general manager brought to you by -- double Mexican grill. Handmade for real log onto the dale and -- page on WEEI dot com. To receive today's special lunchtime offer or text -- QB OB eight to 645. 336. Peter surely joins us on the line hey Peter you don't want."
" I'm doing good happy new year. -- his view and that's how it sort of feels on the eve of the opener yeah a little -- that mean it's it's not."
" It's not so distinct for us I mean we've been Avant for a little bit here with captain rookie camp in mini camp in. We have a little bit of a trade in in their to do so we've been we've been going mass pretty good lately."
" actually a huge trade you guys Peter obviously sending out Phil Kessel. Who Toronto. I've had debate to people about this all the time because it look at the 36 goals Wednesday. Out of the Bruins can make up the goals here and by this kind of guy and I always say. At an ever workshop that would want you have a guy who has 36 goals that production. It's tough to replace. Because he he is dynamic enough to do it by himself. How to how to well I'll I'll get into the -- dynamics in the second but. How do you expect to. Replace the production of the council gave you last year."
" Well. -- make -- point it's like his goals were different style local also like as much as I say -- Merkel Stern's gonna get is trying to 25 to maybe disparity. And we believe. Bergeron is gonna. I really believe personal have a big year this series been tremendous in -- Tuesday's scoreboard. Any of the players will continue to improve the younger players mean Ronald score more -- The Morse on the back Campbell's. Increasing efforts as much as -- assailed that. You know you we will -- just -- locals still scored because that the speed. You know back opportunities so we will miss that don't go chimera we'll miss that I believe. We will make up for the colts. What those guys that I mentioned. And it just they would -- we just want -- the same way."
" it is scares me to death that thing that a 21 year old guy. Was on the rise was traded. Before his prime. What why why -- so. Why he's so confident that this was a trade that would would help the Boston Bruins. "
" Well. Listen I'm not I'm not one who is gonna treat a that. Has town has ability to use it is he's got tremendous skill tremendous speed. And he's -- Now. The fact of the matter is senate he'd made it clear that he did not want to stay in Boston and he wanted that makes it hard for me sign him. In fact it is impossible assignment because it takes two to sign a contract. So now you're looking at okay want to I'd just give him whatever he wants I couldn't get a number from him I could not get one. Number from union negotiation. -- It's it's difficult. Unfortunately that's a reality of the business now like bacon when when when whether -- another team or it's an agent player they have tools that they can news. Against you and you have to change reality. Now and accept all that. What we've got in return SI was was very very good. You're gonna get you may get -- still Cassel out of that. You may get a player that will help us sooner rather than later. So I mean it's we have to balance out but you know at the end of the day went and there's someone doesn't wanna work requests. And and unequivocal about it I have to I have to address."
" Honestly just took one of my questions away from -- hate when that happens because I was prepared to say is that I read your quote before when you said. And I saw the press conference he said he didn't wanna be here I said to dale. Is that fair to say he didn't want to be here is it fair to say. -- wanna be here under the terms that the Bruins were offering but. I didn't I wasn't aware that he never gave you would never you never had an idea of what Phil Kessel wanted to stand Boston."
" I had an idea. But protect couldn't get it like I had an idea what he thought he was worse. Okay but I -- I couldn't get to the next step. I liken it a little so when we had Brad Stuart here and I had to trade him. And it is but not much of it vilified cell and I am not trying to -- Bradley it would have been turned off by Brad. He wanted to move to the west coast and needed one assigned expensed. And -- some some good terms so. -- when these players they have an option a part of this new CPAs is mobility that's what they've they've they've they've got Maine that in this CB -- earlier free agency age. And you've got the ability to. Do decide at least mr. Putin decides. Where you where you're gonna play went in -- when you're USA and -- it's it is restricted and it just so happened that. That there is a team that was prepared one team and that's politics one team that was prepared to pay him what he wanted. And was prepared to. Was prepared to an offer -- So. In an -- an area we get -- first second and third. And we and it took first in the second which is which is huge -- the first second and third that you're at first round pick to talk of an impact player. So but the chances of an impact players so we were happy with their return you know it was a real difficult. There was a real difficult 34 weeks and but at the end of the day when someone does not want to be in Boston and play -- I have to I have to take that under consideration."
" Peter I disagree with my partner in this regard I'll only be disappointed in this trade if you end up making all those specs. Because it while it seems to me to -- better off especially this year if you can trade some of those picks and get somebody who can help your team this year."
" Well you know I that's a good point too and he used but you'd like you don't just make a deal to make a deal they organic -- you we have obviously it's something that it'll cab took to that we -- can -- we need to deal. So I mean it gives us options. And certainly it's it's something that when look at we have to see how our team. Frozen. I've been part of teams that have been part of systemic aplenty but haven't parts teams and you don't make it -- a -- that's a good move when you make -- certain that's about moves so we just have to be careful but that's a very good point."
" Let's talk a little bit about a guy that you did sign in this offseason -- in this offseason and that's David Craig cheek. Is it fair to say that if he's ready to go for you tomorrow night 90 clone seems very hesitant about saying that until tomorrow. But it feels ready to go for your tomorrow night that that's a bit of a surprise given medically where he was in this offseason."
" Well. What David told me like shortly after the surgeries he told me that he'll be back but that's an optimistic actually and saying that I have used. I've heard that tips from our four but he worked he worked so hard to in the summer. And we saw we were you know we obviously were under supervised history happen one and you and each each step along the way I got reports back if he's ahead -- schedule -- further it has scheduled -- further -- so. It it's surprisingly a little but based on in -- based on the reports -- got based on Osama couple times over the summer and then what he was doing. It's just some mild surprise because he really really worked hard to get -- areas."
" Appear we have talked to in a long time and with so many things have happened we haven't had a chance to talk to about. It was rumored right around the time of the draft or shortly that was shortly after the draft that you were interested in -- relay and in moving castle. To Toronto at that time where those reports accurate and if so -- what in that deal goes through."
" Those reports were accurate and atom it didn't go through because we. -- you -- we used to meet meet. Terms for example we didn't we didn't agree on terms I mean -- reports of miscommunication I was so you thought you agreed on her house. No. It was it was in. I thought I was fairly clear. The -- least GM body was fairly clear but is it -- and we obviously we weren't com. You know in the heat of the battle sometimes you use. You know you might gloss over some term deal. If for whatever reason it didn't it didn't work in and and you're right there -- shall there reports were accurate."
" But this is the part I don't understand I mean it seems obviously people can -- communicate all the time I can do with the -- every day for four hours but do you. Even if you have a miscommunication. That is something that you couldn't. Or visit after the draft or was narrow window and you felt like oh we knew we couldn't get it right the first time let's move on to something else."
" While there was something that we would that we felt was fundamental to deal that they felt that wasn't fundamentally deal so. That was it was a seven tech seven tropics so that has gotten so let's put two different spin on. And how you look at the deal and we went -- that a defenseman and so -- mean obviously obviously we did revisit it because in this -- get an Austrian castle to two trial."
" It seems as though much of the pre season and it seemed like he played a game every other day practically -- every day. Much of the pre season almost seemed like -- try out for load for a defense partner for your captain Zdeno Chara. As Derek Morris one that try out."
" Well I think I think he's gonna get the first look they'll. -- It what but you know of the way that the games are scheduled placed -- in that training camp there was it was Arctic to. To really truly China until the end and we -- happy at the and that would there -- And my guess based in my discussions core base of the last few practices -- that they'll start together."
" Or you're looking for in in the offseason when you were just thinking about this team and and think about the 20092010. Season. Or you're looking forward to make a significant jump. To just to help your team who was game really in your mind has to go up another level or --"
" Well it's not so much I. I can't really say what we had a tremendous. Regular season and you know that's part about you gotta get the playoffs. And I thought we had a lot of good individual performances. So right I can't really say it needed that real. Specific jumped from somebody. I'm looking more towards just normal growth of progression from our younger guys. I'm looking more towards. More towards. If for example the new additions Adam. Becoming better under Eric in art -- good coaching staff. I don't really like it just off the top of my hand. I think I think you're -- Bergeron is gonna have a good year so and that bat will be. That will be had that big jump so I guess there's one player that I expected to -- it jump. Obviously Marco coming back. I think you're addicted but it is gonna be -- and mark -- submerged and David Archie just because of the but it could be dangers are injury in the effectively -- so. We have a tough start to. While it's at home now and Leo talked about that you know and it was sort of way you're Rivera on the road a Spanish now we're looking at a home and it's tough Timonen and so there's going to be some breast. And but I expect. Bergeron and Sturm. To have have been improvements."
" We talked a year ago all bought your team being tougher to play against I thought you made great strides in being a tougher team to play against. I I'm guessing in your offseason you wanted to make it even more tough to play against the Bruins with the resigning of recchi and the acquisition of Steve Asia."
" Well -- Mark Recchi played very well source and now we we felt that we knew we were losing some veterans. And you know almighty in an -- since -- so we wanted to have that veteran presence. Stolen that was sort. You Marco springs could play and the -- had already having been here it's if you can it to double whammy as far as the the united experience. And but any display -- anyplace Teresa your -- EC and in Asia as a as a player in the -- turned -- You know we're haven't out of them -- loaded up. Auto has gotten a little bit tougher. So where are the east the source of the northeast will be tougher than I guess people are following her lead to a certain degree. So it'll be will be inching. Divisional games this year."
" I don't know if you've you've noticed them a little upset with this Phil Kessel thanks to our society I had heard you noticed that -- I'll ask you one more thing and that is. Because because Brian Burke. Was also obsessed with Phil -- You'd think. His pursuit. A film that does that affect your relationship -- there any any type of resentment. At at the way Toronto went after what your players. It's."
" You know I would -- I am friends with Brian and we have our our personal relation that a professional relationship. What I think it the end result of of this transaction wasn't exactly receivers and offer sheet. -- the fact that we got more in return for a you know he's got a business to run and he you know -- I respect that it's certainly. What is different dynamic. Dealing. And needs under these circumstances and with him so. That's about what I can tell you right now."
" I'm a big Tim Thomas span and and I couldn't be happier that you know he's finally getting I think some of the recognition to these deserved having said that. I think it took a bit of a risk with the long term contract for a 35 year old goaltender. If he performs at the level you want through the course of this contract. He'll be he'll be the difference not the -- morning."
" Well not necessarily go but I do I -- year on record it's saying that and an iron in August the bowels of some of the risk that we have to take I mean we when you're saying. The exception rather than norm there's been a lot of -- have played. That have played well into there late thirties and forties. But there are also calling -- get you know basically stopped playing when they're 3334. So it depends what you're sample size but he's. -- is unique in the sense that he's not is you know he is body is less is less. That exposed so to speak from haven't played the rigors of NHL hockey for a long time -- to wear down a person. So he's you know he's. One of the things he said and his is that our discussions are completing its contract and ammunitions that's of the -- Davis is that. He feels is getting better it feels he's improving spell and -- and I've seen that it is gain so. You know while there may be any text it is carrier before their into the contract at 2% were prepared to take and -- listening to president goalies which are this year and he's a proud guy in its you know we you have to take risks in this in this business -- about what we're prepared to take."
" Is it fair to say you have a little more confidence. In your backup goaltender this year because of the physical problems Manny Fernandez had a year ago. You're not concerned about that with -- arrest."
" Well I guess -- that with the fact it -- is rookie but the you're right I -- Manny Manny had a stress -- last year where he was tremendous and then and then the physical problems Rivera we have again. -- to it is he's he's put his time in -- minors he's. He's got a terrific candidate could very camp last year and he's these are very good prospect and now he's -- player so. We're excited to have him there you're rate. The injury -- has not. Not not as much of a worry about -- up and also worry about they'll."
" I've -- don't worry my head up that the Phil -- I -- that. -- at the -- I've got a little -- the next ten minutes but I do realize that birthday is later heard later this week to fix it if you. -- always thought that somebody else -- your OK Peter."
" I realize this is your job and you don't do anything from the CD your pants like you know what I woke up today thinking about Derrick -- so so maybe outside him. When when did you start thinking about Derek Morris being the Bruin. And and and why did you start thinking about him being a -- and what what what does he got to bring your case."
" Well. Couple things we tried to acquire him at the deadline trade deadline. Lead our agency that adamant her sights from the perspective from even the year before he's a player Michael that. That is under performed for a variety of reasons. The last few years. He was a he was a player that was on track to make the Olympic team and current affairs for some reason disease. Played. It did didn't it didn't projected didn't follow the projection. But there're a lot of elements to his game. To -- defensive scheme and at the opposite side of his defensive game that we felt could complement. Our defense of course very well and while we in essence we had to give a parent board to get there Morris and Aaron Ward was a warrior. Wheatley felt that what. -- The net result wasn't going to be a part of what he brought Willis in you've seen his talks still stick skills. His port is. We it was felt that that would helped -- so that that would help. Zdeno whether he was paired with them or not it would take minutes to get logged a lot of minutes Derek so there is. There's a number of reasons why we went after him. We didn't want to commit long term to -- to start because. We have -- we have some issues but issues but we've got players that will have to be paid. Whether there was one that we just trader there -- future players that have to be paid so he was he was good he was flexible from a from a term contract perspective so it was a good fit. He's been really good in camp. And we we just felt that he could add to our to our defense --"
" Peter in a league in which special teams are so critical to the success or failure of any club. Are you concerned with the loss of players like Stephon -- PJ Axelsson but the penalty killing units will suffer and that could make a difference for your team."
" Well. I I I I I really believe that. The penalty killing is is more of a function of your quote success let's put any pressure on coach -- but it's more a function of recourse except in the personal you have to have their right mentality of the staff and you have to very mentality of the player I think we've got guys who could fill those spots. It's you know part of this part of this job is that the turnover of players in the infusion of young players in. And it's just that the cycle place in we've got to you know we gonna be consistent with that in and -- it but it is it is something that we've. We've obviously we looked at when you're making these moves in again it's something -- felt that the people that we had in place to pick up slack."
" To meet the biggest thing for the Bruins going into this season is stability. The general manager is here for the time being and for the foreseeable future the coaches here for the foreseeable future I think that's stability off -- is gonna help the team on the --"
" But I'd like to think so I mean it allows us to continue our. To use an oft quoted there -- our plan but really that's what it is still a -- we couldn't -- The message they -- due to our management -- that message I sent to the coaches and this is of course sensed that the players it's -- You -- dust social one and it's consistent and it's it's what we want and it's what we want the players to hear. And in we knew we you make changes. Whether it's coaches or managers that changes things and it takes a while there. The stories the other -- organization takes a moment to again sort I'm certainly grateful that that my contract was expanded in venture speaking -- sure he was also one. And I think I think only better things to come forward."
" tomorrow night's opponent Alexander Ovechkin the most dynamic offensive player in this league now."
" Yes I think is yankees. His size and strength it is enthusiasm. I think he I think they agreed that the key -- mountain of a man on the Ayers not so much of -- 262 but he system blocked. Any any gets fired a puck from anywhere this this crisis special special player."
" And we always enjoy talking hockey with you we appreciate it taken the time and we'll look forward to talking to you again as the season goes on. Eric thanks guys take care thanks Peter that is Peter surely the general manager of the Boston Bruins. "
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