January 12, 2009 | 11:20am ET Bruins looking for top-four defenseman
TheFourthPeriod.com
Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is believed to be scouring the NHL for an available and affordable top-four defenseman.
With goalies Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez set to become unrestricted free agents July 1, there remains a possibility the Bruins try to trade the latter.
According to the Boston Globe, if the Bruins still consider Fernandez a moveable asset, young netmidner Tuukka Rask would be in line for a promotion before the March 4 trade deadline.
Rask has a $3.2 million annual cap hit if he plays in the NHL this season or next.
It's expected that the Bruins are trying, or will soon begin their attempts, to sign Thomas to a contract extension.
From the Editor: The Bruins will likely get Thomas locked up to a new deal, which means Fernandez won't be back with the club next season... which means, Rask will get some regular time in the NHL. For now, though, the B's have to determine whether it's beneficial having both Thomas and Fernandez in the fold, or moving Fernandez for a defenseman. They could likely keep Fernandez and get that d-man closer to the deadline, anyway, which might be the better move to make. -- David Pagnotta.
