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.

Bruins head to west coast, Stuart included

The Boston Bruins returned to practice today in Wilmington, and it looked like they brought their JV lineup.

That is unfortunately what the lineup looks like without Patrice Bergeron and Marc Savard. Take a look at the junior varsity lines.

Sturm - Recchi - Satan
Wheeler - Krejci - Ryder
Lucic - Begin - Bitz
Paille - Sobotka - Thornton

One good sign for Boston was that Mark Stuart was back on the ice with the team today. Stuart, who injured his sternum on Dec. 14 is going to make the trip with the Bruins, but may not play.

Stuart's injury was to keep him out, four-to-six weeks and today marks the four week period. If Stuart does return, it will likely be in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.


Rumor Mill
The calendar has flipped to 2010 and so that means I am bringing back the rumor mill. With Boston struggling to score goals there have been many rumors about the Bruins trading for a goal scorer.

I will share those rumors, minus the Ilya Kovalchuk ones. Needless to say I think Kovalchuk has as much chance of walking through that door as Phil Kessel.

Teemu Selanne -- Selanne has said this will be his last season in the NHL. With the Ducks likely out of the playoff mix, Selanne may waive his no trade clause to move to a contender. The favorite has got to be the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I'm sure the Bruins will kick the tires on him.

Ray Whitney -- Whitney is on a struggling Hurricanes team which seems to be on its way to a #1 pick and Taylor Hall. This is the most likely pick up for Boston as Whitney will cost the least. You can expect the type of production that Mark Recchi gave last year from Whitney. An older player, but certainly a different style than Recchi.

Puck Moving Defenseman -- The Bruins want to add a puck moving defenseman desperately, but it is going to be difficult. There have been rumors of players like Sheldon Souray and Scott Niedermayer being available on struggling teams. Niedermayer is not likely, and if he were to move he would likely go to New Jersey to play with his brother. Souray is an interesting target, but don't look for him to be on his way to Boston as his $5.4 million cap hit will be a bit too steep without a major roster move.

Savard out 3-4 weeks with partially torn MCL

The Boston Bruins can now add another member of their team to the injured list.

Marc Savard, the team's first line center, will be out likely through January with a partially torn MCL in his right knee.

With Savard going out, the Bruins have recalled Trent Whitfield from Providence. Whitfield will be the fourth line center in today's matinee with the Rangers.

Bruins and Blackhawks game notes

Nobody played well for the Bruins as they fall to Chicago, 5-2.

- Marc Savard has a right knee injury and will be missing game action. He will have an MRI tomorrow.

- Milan Lucic was forced back a couple of days early as Byron Bitz has an apparent back injury. Lucic looked a little shaky on the ice after missing 18 games.

-Looking at the Boston bench I was able to see Shawn Thornton yelling at the Bruins bench. Thornton was likely yelling at the Bruins compete level, which just wasn't there. Chicago won every battle in the corner.

Boston will return to action Saturday afternoon against the Rangers. If Savard is out for an extended period of time, this could mean big trouble for the Bruins.

To be continued...

Ference out four to six weeks; Lucic still not ready

As the Bruins prepare for the Chicago Blackhawks, they received more bad news.

Patrice Bergeron of course will be out for at least two weeks with a thumb injury. But now, Andrew Ference is out 4-6 weeks w/ a groin injury. Adam McQuaid is Ference's expected replacement.

I have heard that Milan Lucic will not return Thursday night also. Lucic is eyeing a return this Saturday afternoon against the New York Rangers.

The Bruins should change their colors from black and gold to black and blue with all of these injuries.