12:55 p.m.: Hey, look, another trade. Carolina and Chicago have made a swap, and honestly, it’s not a lot to get excited about, but beggars can’t be choosers given what’s happened so far.
[TRADE] #Canes reacquire Dennis Robertson from Chicago in exchange for MacIntyre → Details: https://t.co/84asjMoXeX pic.twitter.com/2I5CRFgLyA
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 29, 2016
12:20 p.m.: The Dallas Stars could use some defensive help if they’re going to make a big playoff push, and they’re reportedly in the mix.
Stars remain dialed in on Russell and Hamhuis. Highly unlikely, but is it possible to land both? Too early to rule anything out.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 29, 2016
12:05 p.m.: Here’s what came of waiver claims for Monday.
Devils claim Warsofsky off waivers. Oilers claim Cracknell, Pardy. Habs claim Brown. Everyone else clears.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 29, 2016
11:55 a.m.: Again, teams always seem to be looking for veteran defensemen at the deadline, and Calgary Flames blue liner Kris Russell certainly fits that criteria. Could he land in Boston? It’s early, but ESPN.com’s Joe McDonald reported there have been discussions between the two teams.
According to a league source, Bruins and Flames discussing D-man Kris Russell but source added it's too soon to say if a deal gets done.
— Joe McDonald (@ESPNJoeyMac) February 29, 2016
11:35 a.m.: Probably worth mentioning this from a little early, but the Bruins took the ice for an 11 a.m. practice, and Loui Eriksson was indeed on the ice. As was the recently called-up Tyler Randell.
Loui Eriksson is on the ice at Bruins practice. Zac Rinaldo the only player who's not.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) February 29, 2016
Also, interesting to note that Max Talbot actually left the ice before practice began.
Max Talbot just left the ice right before the start of practice.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) February 29, 2016
11:29 a.m.: Not a huge surprise given all the reports from over the weekend, but it doesn’t sound like the Bruins and Loui Eriksson are closing in on a deal.
Nothing brewing on an extension for Loui Eriksson. Tough decision looming for #bruins in the next couple hours.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 29, 2016
11:23 a.m.: Then again, maybe Kerby Rychel is just being demoted.
Rychel has not been traded, at least not yet. Been told to await further instructions. Either trade or AHL assignment to get on p-off roster
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 29, 2016
11:20 a.m.: From the “Things that make you go hmmm department,” here’s something to keep an eye on with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
#CBJ rookie F Kerby Rychel was walking out of Madison Square Garden as I walked in. This is not an optional skate today.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 29, 2016
Rychel has wanted out of Columbus. Stay tuned. https://t.co/jn1Xfs4LOE
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 29, 2016
11:18 a.m.: With less than fours hours to go before the deadline, don’t forget about Jonathan Drouin.
TB values Drouin very highly and many teams do. Traction being made. Based on those I'm talking to, I'd be surprised if he's not moved
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 29, 2016
11:11 a.m.: More on the Loui Eriksson asking price, this time from ESPN.com’s Joe McDonald.
“A league source tells me the Bruins are shopping Loui Eriksson hard. Asking price seems to be A-prospect defenseman and a second,” McDonald reported.
11:08 a.m.: Adding to the thought that the Bruins could be busy, here’s a tidbit on forward Alexander Khokhlachev.
Alexander Khokhlachev's agent says his client could be traded today #Bruins
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) February 29, 2016
10:34 a.m.: Don Sweeney on Sunday said the Bruins are open to keeping Loui Eriksson, even if they don’t sign him to an extension. The latest from TSN’s Darren Dreger would seem to support that notion.
Additional offers on Eriksson expected. However, existing interest has to improve for Boston to consider moving key forward. #TradeCentre
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 29, 2016
Then again, if you wanted to drive up the price for a player in a trade, you’d certainly want potential suitors to think you were strongly considering and perhaps even favoring keeping a player — in order to drive up the price. We shall see.
10:27 a.m.: The Minnesota Wild are another team that could be busy Monday.
I think if Minnesota can't do a deal for bigger names like Boedker or Drouin they might circle back to Buffalo on McGinn if he's still there
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 29, 2016
10:24 a.m.: The Bruins have made their first official move of the day — they’ve called up Tyler Randell from Providence.
Bruins recall forward Tyler Randell from Providence Bruins. Read release: https://t.co/eaUE2G56YV ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 29, 2016
9:35 a.m.: The consensus among most NHL insiders and analysts you read or listen to is that Monday could be a busy day for the Boston Bruins. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, there’s already chatter about Bruins prospect Seth Griffith. You have to imagine Griffith is just one of a few younger players who might be in play if the B’s look to do something big Monday.
Some talk around BOS F Seth Griffith. 60 pts in 46 games at AHL Providence. 23 years old.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 29, 2016
One note about Griffith: waiver-eligible in September. So I can see why BOS may do it.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 29, 2016
9:30 a.m.: We have our first (reported) trade of the day. ESPN’s Craig Custance just reported that Pittsburgh is sending forward Sergei Plotnikov to Phoenix. It’s unclear, at this point, what the Penguins are getting in return.
Coyotes have made a deal for Plotnikov.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) February 29, 2016
The 25-year-old has just two assists in 32 games this season and hasn’t played since Jan. 6.
9:13 a.m.: Darren Dreger on TSN’s trade deadline telecast just said the Boston Bruins and Loui Eriksson’s camp had no talks about a new contract Sunday, which makes you think an extension is unlikely. So, what will the Bruins do with the veteran winger? Dreger added that there are a number of Western Conference teams that have expressed interest in the player.
The reported price, as mentioned in our previous update, is high.
9:10 a.m.: The reported asking price for Loui Eriksson, as we sit here early in the day, is pretty high, per TSN’s Darren Dreger. As even he points out, of course, that price could come down before the end of the day.
Western conference team says the ask from Boston for Eriksson is a top player and prospect. Team is balking at the price…for now.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 29, 2016
9 a.m.: Teams are always looking for veteran defensemen at the deadline, which means there’s going to be interest in a player like Dan Hamhuis. The Vancouver Canucks are in the midst of a rebuild, and there’s reason to believe he’ll be traded before 3 p.m. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch sees the Dallas Stars as the current favorite to land the 33-year-old.
Dallas is frontrunner but Boston, Tampa and Washington have all inquired on Dan Hamhuis. #TradeCentre
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 29, 2016
8:28 a.m.: The Montreal Canadiens, in the midst of a treacherous season, very well could be entering this deadline as sellers.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie mentioned forward Devante Smith-Pelly as someone who could have a new home once Monday comes to an end (with a hat tip to Habs Eyes On The Prize).
McKenzie: "I think Devante Smith Pelly is a name that could move today."
— Platinum Seat Ghosts (@3rdPeriodSuits) February 29, 2016
Perhaps even more interesting, is the fact that Alexander Galchenyuk could be in play. It probably would take a lot to pry the No. 3 pick of the 2012 draft out of Montreal, but teams are calling, according to Pierre Le Brun.
FWIW, I've heard of a few teams calling Montreal on Galchenyuk… not convinced he's available, but Habs listening on different guys…
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 29, 2016
8 a.m.: One of the biggest days of the hockey year is upon us.
It’s NHL trade deadline day, and if past years are any indication, it could be a doozy. The (unofficial) national holiday in Canada will be celebrated across North America as fans will have a close eye on all the news and rumors leading up until the 3 p.m. ET deadline.
One of the biggest names on the market, Eric Staal, was dealt ahead of the deadline, as Carolina finally sent its captain to the New York Rangers. The biggest name believed to be still on the market would be Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson. The pending free agent played in the team’s Sunday night loss to Tampa Bay, but Bruins general manager Don Sweeney didn’t hide from the fact that the team is open to trading Eriksson. However, Sweeney also said the team would be open to keeping Eriksson even if they can’t reach a contract extension before the deadline.
Another player to keep an eye on Monday? Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Drouin. The third overall pick in the 2013 draft has had a falling out with the Lightning and has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks. Maybe Monday is the day that finally gets done.
As was also the case Sunday, NESN.com will be all over the day’s latest news right here in the live blog.
Thumbnail photo via Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports
Filed under: Boston Bruins, NESN Staff, NHL, Top Stories 
