Could Pronger be heading to Beantown?

A post over at HFBoards.com is referncing another blog stating that a deal is done to send Pronger to Boston.

Per James Murphy :

Just got an update on Pronger deal and it appears Pronger to the Bruins is very real and salary cap issues are the only thing holing it up right now. One interesting twist is that Phil Kessel is currently not the main Bruin going back to Anaheim. I am being told that defenseman Mark Stuart, Prospect Joe Colborne and a first round pick in 2010 would go to Anaheim in exchange for Pronger and forward Travis Moen. Both teams have apparently agreed in principle on a trade.

The deal will also not be announced or finalized until Wednesday, so that each team can iron out the cap issues and maybe make other deals to accommodate this move. Again, I can’t get into specifics over the main roster player from Boston. Right now it’s not Kessel but that could change, so that’s why I can’t say whom it is as of now with certainty. There are other teams (I’m told New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington), still pushing hard, but Pronger to Beantown is very real!

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This type of deal puts the Bruins over the Caps and possibly over the Devils as the best candidate to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals. Can you imagine Chara and Pronger on the blue line? That pairing would give fits to Parise, Richards, Carter, Semin, Ovechkin, Backstrom, etc.

It’s not done yet and is still technically a rumor, however, this could come to fruition by Wednesday. So far it appears Kessel is staying put, but for the Bruins to afford Thomas or Fernandez next contract, they will have to move Kessel or Bergeron.

Kessel to the Blues for Walt + 09 1st?

Blues vs Jackets | 02-18-09

Another game that is impossible to describe how big it is. Seven points behind Columbus and a win tonight and regulation loss for Nashville ties us for 13th. Road games are rough, especially against a tight checking, defense first team. Blues have to have puck luck to make this work. Keep the legs moving, quick transition and second chances against the “other” Mason.

Columbus seems to be king of the pure luck goal against St Louis, the defense needs to take care of Mason and the front of the net.

Game Quick Hits:
Winchester-Backes-Boyes line looks very good. Physical play, creating chances and causing trouble. I wonder how this line creates scoring chances with out a true play maker, but they do well.

Horrible game in the face-off circle. Might be time to put McDonald back at Center. Maybe play Berglund a couple shifts on the wing? Berglund is stringing together quiet games. He needs something to get him going.

Bad officiating. Why was that Penalty called by the Ref abut 100 feet from the play and his view of Jackman was obstructed by about 5 other players. The missed offside on the Nash goal. Two goals from poor officiating.

The Blue Jackets kept good pressure on the Blues Defencemen, really exposing the Blues below average transition. Oh where are you EJ? Jackman did not play a good game, out of position multiple times. Absolutely stupid penalty on the play with Boll. The blue line was not good at all. Mason was hung out to dry most of this game. Most fans will blame Mason, however the lack of faceoff wins in our zone and poor defensive play really doomed Mason. The  blue line was exposed and looked sluggish all night.

Steen has played poorly of late. Nice touch scoring a SHG, but his overall game hasn’t been much better tonight vs the last 4-5.

I love Oshie, but please save the fancy stuff for the Offensive zone. When he tries that in his own end, its been read and broken up each time. Hardworking game and way to capitalize for the Blues third goal.

Is it a bad thing if I have yet to be impressed with Steve Mason? Not really coming up with big saves against the Blues at least. By product of the team his is on.

The Blues power play was pathetic till the 3rd Period. One thing I would love to see the Blues do that they don’t is rotate the players on the point. Meaning move Colaiacovo to the right point as Perron drifts around behind him to set up a one time. Pittsburgh used this a lot last year with Gonchar and Malkin eats it up now. Colaiacovo has the shot (Perron is developing it as well) to take form that opposite side. It can’t hurt to try.

Was nice to see Holt finally get some time on the ice.

Recap:
You have to play 60 minutes in the NHL, the Blues barely played 20. Grant it the 20 they played were good, but they completely failed to set any pace on the road. Thre defence hung Mason out often this game. The Blues were only able to work forward at all once Columbus sat back in the third.

If anything the Blues poor transition play was highlighted tonight. The Blues were really held in the back half of the nuetral zone and their zone for two periods. Jackman, Strachan, McKee are just not mobile enough in the post lockout NHL. Wagner has been generally poor (See the 2nd goal) and hasn’t been able to be anything close to what he was before the broken leg.

More than anything not taking a point is disappointing. Nashville will likely lose to Detroit tonight, allowing the Blues to waste a chance to tie Nashville. Tomorrow night should have been a chance to get to 59 points and get above Nashville. That chance is gone and they must pull along side Nashville tomorrow.