Sweeney: B's Wanted to Add 'Some Juice' to Already Motivated Group

BOSTON - For over a decade, the Bruins have been built on a strong nucleus that has spawned a winning environment and team-first attitude in the dressing room.
Even after the departures of longtime captain Zdeno Chara and blue liner mainstay Torey Krug last offseason, Boston has remained a motivated and cohesive group behind Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Tuukka Rask - one that Bruins general manager Don Sweeny believed deserved another shot at a Stanley Cup run.
As such, Sweeney got to work on improving his club, adding three players via two trades ahead of Monday's deadline. The Bruins acquired high-end skill in Taylor Hall, energy and grit in Curtis Lazar, and back-end mobility in Mike Reilly, addressing several areas of need for a team that currently sits four points clear of a playoff spot.

"It starts with their investment level," Sweeney said of rewarding his group. "Overall, the team dictates…we have such a motivated group. We have a tight knit locker room on and off the ice, they're pulling for each other. You definitely want to add some juice. We felt that finding some depth, finding some potential balance in scoring up front with the addition of Taylor and versatility in Curtis and puck moving ability in Mike, that we were trying to address what we thought were a couple areas of need and to complement our group.
"Obviously, you're trying to put the pieces to the puzzle together. But our group, they want to compete. You know this leadership core. And we're trying to incorporate the next guys that want that mantle as well and trying to reward them with the investment that they've put forth."

Trade No. 1 - Defenseman Mike Reilly in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick
Sweeney acquired the 27-year-old Reilly from Ottawa in the hopes of shoring up the left side of the Bruins' back end
, while adding some mobility, puck movement, and the ability to get shots to the net. Reilly has a career-high 19 assists through 40 games.
"A player we've seen grow from his time in Minnesota and Montreal and then moving on to Ottawa with a much-elevated role," said Sweeney. "We want to be a team that transitions a little cleaner at times. He's produced offensively, offensive blue line. Not necessarily scoring but contributing point-production wise.
"Has played in all the situations and has been in elevated roles with Ottawa and you've seen growth in his game in both a competitive standpoint, but also overall…he's got experience, he has confidence, he's done it at every level. If you look at his numbers and his progression in the NHL level, he's got a power play component.
"You're just trying to find some depth and a little different flavor with experience, ansz d I think Mike brings a little bit of that on both sides from goal line out, and then getting into the offensive blue line."

Trade No. 2 - Left wing Taylor Hall and forward Curtis Lazar in exchange for Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round pick
In search of some added skill and scoring up front, particularly within the middle six,
Sweeney made a splash for Hall, a former first overall pick and Hart Trophy winner.
Hall has 2 goals and 19 points this season. His career high of 39 and 93 came during his MVP season in 2017-18 with New Jersey.
"I know Taylor hasn't scored at the previous levels as in years past. I think if you look a little bit below the surface, he's had a lot of scoring opportunities that haven't gone in," said Sweeney. "Whether that's just bad puck luck or whether that's things he needs to do differently, make some little adjustments, we're going to point some things out to him.
"We think he adds to the depth and balance of our club. Bringing speed off the wing, having the opportunity to probably play with David] Krejci and/or [Charlie] Coyle. Hopefully, not unlike we did before when Marcus Johansson [came in] and him and Coyle were together, we created some depth in our lineup overall.
"Obviously, Taylor's extremely motivated, he's excited to be here. As he pointed out, we had some talks over the summer. Didn't go so we'd be able to sign him then. Called him throughout the course of the year and revisited the opportunity to bring him in."
Sweeney hopes that Hall playing against second and third defense pairs will create more opportunities for the winger.
"I think the ability to get through the neutral zone, pushing the defense back upon entry. And let's be honest - he's going to be playing behind Brad Marchand," said Cassidy. "He's rarely had that in opportunities at other places to play behind a guy like Brad, who sees all the tough matchups every given night. Hopefully, Taylor can use his speed and gain some separation and push defensemen back. He can certainly prove he's gotten around defensemen to get pucks to the net."
[In Lazar, Sweeney sees a versatile piece that can play both center and wing
, giving Boston options within the bottom six. The 26-year-old brings plenty of energy and jump to go along with five goals and nine points in 33 games.
"Curtis checks a couple boxes for us: the center position, a two-position player, having some experience, adding some heaviness to the bottom part of the lineup," said Sweeney. "Adding some versatility, I think, if we want to mix and match that bottom six. So, we're excited and he's also extremely excited to join our club and really be in a playoff mindset to try to get our club into the playoffs."

Extending a Hand

Sweeney noted that there was clearly some "mutual buy in" from both sides when it came to the Hall acquisition. Hall said on Monday morning that the Bruins were one of his top choices in free agency last fall, and were, once again, high on his list when it came to waving his no-trade clause.
"We certainly knew that he had interest in us and maybe that played some factor in him deciding - because he had the authority to veto trades if he wanted to go to particular places," said Sweeney. "So, for me, there's mutual buy in there. We obviously invested in acquiring the player and the player is invested in coming to us. And hopefully that's when it works out the best."
Hall also said during his virtual press conference that he would like to be a Bruin "for a few years," though Sweeney said there will have to be an evaluation from both the team and player when it comes to whether Hall fits into the group long term.
"It usually comes with success and fitting in," said Sweeney. "Taylor will have a say in that, and our group will have a say in that in terms of how those two things come together. It's a short period of time that you have to find the chemistry and find out where you fit. And he's comfortable.
"I think the proof will be in the results. And again, not to add and expectation on him, I think he accepts the challenge and that's why he chose - he had a say in this. He had a chance and some evaluations talking with [Buffalo GM] Kevyn Adams, who did a really good job communicating with as to where things are at and where we thought we'd be able to find a deal.
"We're fortunate Taylor chose us. And there's a give and take with that. We'll see how it unfolds. Get him comfortable and hopefully he has success. As much success as possible."

The Other Side

The Bruins parted with Bjork after four seasons and 138 games. The 24-year-old, who was selected by the B's in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, had 16 goals and 39 points during his tenure in the Black & Gold. Bjork collected two goals and three assists in 30 games this season, playing mostly in the bottom six. He had been a healthy scratch for the past five games.
"I wish Anders nothing but success," said Sweeney. "Terrific, terrific young man. Got a bright future. This is a really good opportunity for him, individually, to go to a new team. I wish him well. Very difficult conversation for me."

Hitting the Road

Hall, Lazar, and Reilly will all be driving to Boston to avoid any COVID-related quarantine restrictions, meaning they could be available for Tuesday night's tilt with the Sabres. Lazar, however, is expected to need a few days as he gets his conditioning back after missing the last couple of weeks with a lower-body injury.
"It wasn't an overriding decision as to why we selected to make deals. But it's a nice added benefit associated with the challenging environment we're all dealing with," Sweeney said of the players avoiding air travel. "Those guys were all motivated to do it, which speaks to the fact that they want to get here and get acclimated and play and play meaningful games.
"Both those teams previously weren't going to go to the playoffs, and this is just a new opportunity for all three of these players to be immersed as quickly as possible and we're fortunate they jumped on it."

Battered Back End

Sweeney is hoping that the Bruins back end will soon look a lot healthier. Boston was missing four of its top six defensemen on Sunday night - and it showed, as the B's were drubbed, 8-1, by the Washington Capitals without Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, and Kevan Miller.
"It's been a challenge through the course of the year," said Sweeney. "I did some math and we've had significant man games lost…we've had some players that have really filled in admirably - Connor [Clifton] and [Steven] Kampfer on the right side have done a really nice job coming in and playing some quality minutes. We're going to need them throughout - we're going to need everybody.
"We've already used 12 guys, and we're hopeful that we'll get some guys back. We've got to get healthy and stay healthy all throughout our lineup, but most importantly, getting [Tuukka] Rask back at some point in time, getting [Jaroslav] Halak back. The young goaltenders have done a nice job, we've certainly tested the depth of the organization.
"No excuses whatsoever with our hockey club on that. But we do need to get healthy and stay healthy, and Kevan Miller and Charlie and Brandon on the right side are a big part of that."