With latest loss, are Bruins in 'Wait 'til next year' mode?

The Boston Bruins lost another heart breaker on Saturday afternoon, 3-2 in a shootout to the Vancouver Canucks.

Boston held a two goal lead on goals by Zdeno Chara and Michael Ryder, but like Thursday night they let that lead disappear. The loss added to the length of an already epic losing streak, which now stands at 10 games.

This streak was started back on January 16 in Los Angeles, a true country wide losing soirée. This losing streak could very well be 14 games if not for pulling out a shoot out in San Jose.

If Boston loses its next two games and gets to 12 straight losses they will set a franchise record. A record that is not supposed to be broken, but yet it can be matched tomorrow, on Super Sunday in Montreal.

To add some more coal to the fire, Johnny Boychuk will not make the trip after being hit in the face with a puck during the first period of today's game.

The replacement? The options are either Andrew Ference or Andy Wozniewski to replace Boychuk. With Ference skating before the game today, look for him to give it a go tomorrow.

Now how do the Bruins go about stopping this lengthy blues fest? Well, if you listen to Bruins fans it is time to make a trade. However, the Bruins front office may beg to differ.

The scuttlebutt is that Boston will not make a trade until after the Olympic break ... if at all. It also looks like Ray Whitney is out as a target for Boston. Carolina still plans to trade Whitney, but they want a first round pick for him and the Bruins will not give it up.

The Bruins brass looks content to ride out their roster and maybe add a B level winger after the Olympic break.

After Saturday's action Boston sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They still, however, are only two points behind Philadelphia for the East's final playoff spot.

If you look at things from a pure draft prospective, if the season ended today Boston would hold both the second and seventh picks for the 2010 entry level draft. So as much as you don't want to hear it, the Bruins may be content to build towards next season.

Kovalchuk to New Jersey, option B for the Bruins

Barry Melrose on ESPN earlier today. "The team that needs him most, and the team that has the assets to get Kovalchuk are the Bruins." "It makes sense he goes to Boston, I'd be surprised if Kovalchuk doesn't end up there."

Well Barry, he didn't end up there, and this blogger is not surprised. Ilya Kovalchuk has been traded by the Atlanta Thrashers to the New Jersey Devils for two roster players, a prospect and a first round pick.

As I said since day one, Kovalchuck would not be a Bruin. Ray Whitney and Keith Tkachuk are the real targets for Boston. I would say Tkachuk would be more likely.

With the Boston losing streak extended to nine, it will be telling to see what Peter Chiarelli does over the next week. If he doesn't make a trade before the deadline, he could be sending a message that he is looking at getting two top picks in the 2010 entry draft.

Bruins making a trade this week?

Wednesday has been a day full of trade talk. However, let me first get to team related notes.

*According to ESPNBoston, Zdeno Chara has been playing with a dislocated left pinkie. It may require off-season surgery for the Bruins captain.

*Today at practice, Matt Hunwick and Steve Begin were given maintenance days. Hunwick has been bad lately, maybe some sort of injury is bothering the defenseman.

*Petr Sykora, Ray Whitney, Peter Mueller and Keith Tkachuk are on the Bruins radar to acquire via trade.

I am hearing that the Bruins may try and deal Michael Ryder and their 2010 first round pick to Carolina for Ray Whitney.

Then there's this... Kovalchuk traded by end of week? http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308800

Stay tuned folks, it looks like the Bruins are trying to acquire someone this week. Now we'll just have to see who that will be.

Stuart out four weeks after surgery on finger

Mark Stuart underwent surgery this afternoon on his finger and will be out until after the Olympic break, according to Claude Julien.

Adam McQuaid has been recalled from Providence to fill the spot left vacant by Stuart.

Toronto makes a big splash; where it leaves Boston

No price is to high for Brian Burke; Dion Phaneuf to Toronto. Good defense in Toronto now with Phaneuf, Komisarek, Beauchemin, Kaberle and Schenn.

Shortly there after, another move was completed by the Leafs. Giguere has been traded to the Leafs for Toskala and Blake. Big shake up day in Toronto.

The Bruins targets look to be Ray Whitney and Paul Kariya up front and Aaron Ward on defense. Phaneuf price was high and Ilya Kovalchuk's is even higher.

Bruins and Kings news and notes

It will be a battle of U.S. Olympic teammates tonight at the TD Garden. Jonathan Quick and Tim Thomas will start in goal.

Steve Begin is expected to be available for the black and gold tonight.

Randy Jones will replace Jack Johnson in the Kings’ lineup tonight. Yes, that Randy Jones who planted Patrice Bergeron into the boards two season's ago.

This is a battle of team's heading in opposite directions. The Kings have won six out of seven games, while Boston has lost nine of 10.

Thursday's rumblings

The Bruins were in Wilmington today preparing for their key battle with the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night.

Here are the tidbits I picked up from today.

*I was informed to expect Savard and Bitz back on Friday, Begin on Saturday and Sturm back on Tuesday. Also, Andrew Ference skated today for the first time. Ference's goal is to return after the Olympics on March 2nd.

Speaking of early March, March 3 is the NHL trade deadline. Rumors are starting to swirl like crazy and the Bruins name is being mentioned in a lot of them.

I was told that Dion Phaneuf is more likely to come to Boston than Ilya Kovalchuk.

Calgary is trying to unload Phaneuf's salary and Boston may be looking to dispose of Dennis Wideman's. Hearing Wides and a 1st rounder for Phaneuf. However, nothing is close.

There were rumors put out today that Boston may be looking to get rid of Tim Thomas and his $5 million cap hit until the 2012-2013 season.

However, I was told that this will be nearly impossible to do. Look for the Bruin brass to wait until the off-season to try and move Thomas.

Savard to return Friday; Kovalchuk to Boston for real?

Marc Savard called in to 985 The Sports Hub on Wednesday and had some relieving words for Bruins fans. "I'll be ready for Friday," Savard told the station.

The Bruins need Savard back desperately, as the black and gold have lost eight of nine without him.

With Savard coming back, Trent Whitfield was assigned to Providence.

Byron Bitz and Steve Begin practiced today, and are questionable for Friday night. Marco Sturm is doubtful for Friday, but he may return to practice tomorrow. Sturm looks to be eyeing a Saturday return against Los Angeles.


Rumor Mill:
Sheldon Souray - I have been told that the Sheldon Souray to Boston rumblings are all for not. Boston is not interested in giving up a lot for Souray, and furthermore Souray isn't interested in Boston.

Ilya Kovalchuk - ESPN.com is reporting the Bruins are very much in the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes along with Los Angeles, in particular. While Vancouver, Philadelphia and Chicago also have reported interest, it appears the Bruins and Kings are the front-runners at this point.

I still find the Kovalchuk thing hard to swallow. I can't see the Bruins mortgaging the future for Kovalchuk. This means Rask, Lucic, Krejci and Bergeron. So who is left for Boston to dish?

My proposal is Blake Wheeler, Jordan Caron or Zach Hamill and their first round draft pick this year. That may be worth the price of a rental since Caron and Hamill are both projected as centers.

Boston already has Savard, Bergeron and Krejci ahead of them on the depth charts. We will have to see if Atlanta will except this type of offer.