Going Forward: Kessel & Bergeron

Now that I have calmed down a bit from losing someone I viewed as a great character guy, I have come to the realization that this was a great move for the organization. Not only did Peter Chiarelli send out an aging, injury prone defenseman but, he created some more cap space with the buyout of the newly acquired Patrick Eaves (sucks to be him!). You can see the updated salary breakdown on the right side and you'll find that there is roughly $4.6 million available to complete this team for the upcoming season.

I'm not going to get into the monetary specifics because A.) I don't know exactly what Kessel is looking for because only the Bruins front office, Kessel, and his agent really know what that number is. B.) I am completely unsure of what the defenseman I would like to come here is looking for. So, with that being said, here is the scenario I would like to see, be it through trade, signing, etc. to fit under the salary cap.

1. Signing Kessel is an absolute must here. Kessel lead the team in goals last year with 36 and he has improved immensely since being benched in the playoffs against the Canadiens in 2008. He has also come a long way in improving his two-way game and from what I've seen he's not done with his advancement. Kessel is a young dynamic player and under the strict tutelage of Chiarelli, Neely, and Julien he is going to continue to get better. I think Kessel is going to end up taking the majority of that $4.6 million left under the cap, so, some kind of trade is going to have to take place to sign the next free agent defenseman.

2. Marc-Andre Bergeron. Bergeron has been a guy who has been looked to for being a top tier defenseman and clearly that has not panned out. However, if he comes here he won't need to be that guy. He can come here and fill a roll on the second pairing, even the third if need be. Here is what sportsnet.ca has to say about Bergeron:

Assets

Has the ability to rack up points if given enough ice time. Makes a crisp first pass out of the defensive zone and joins the rush with aplomb.

Flaws

At 5-10, 197 pounds, he'll always have trouble handling big NHL forwards. As a result, it's a struggle for him to receive regular ice time.

Career potential

Power play specialist.

I could handle that without a doubt. Last year, when the Bruins struggled it was when they had trouble getting out of their own zone, Bergeron aids to that glitch in the breakout of the defensive zone and he joins the rush. This would be a very beneficial signing for the black and gold and if these pieces fall together, the Eastern Confrence Finals will not be out of the question.

Thoughts?

-McKeon