With 35 games left in their regular season, the Boston Bruins have an eight-point advantage on the Detroit Red Wings for the final Wild Card spot in the playoffs and they have three games in hand. Safe to say it looks as though they're heading to the post season again this year and from the sound of things, GM Don Sweeney is actively pursuing pending free-agent defenseman Ben Chiarot.
As per TSN's Darren Dreger, the Bruins are in on the Chiarot sweepstakes, along with Florida, Toronto and the New York Rangers:
Chiarot is the final year of his $3.5M contract and is sure to be moved on or before the deadline as part of the Canadiens rebuild, one which saw them make headlines earlier this week when they dealt Tyler Toffoli to Calgary. A 30-year old native of Hamilton, Chiarot has been a steady, stay-at-home NHL defenseman for the past eight years, splitting time between Winnipeg and Montreal. His heavy, defense-first style of play was best on display during last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs when he and his Canadiens teammates made it all the way to the Finals, only to be beaten by the unstoppable Tampa Bay Lightning. He should fit in well with the Bruins if they're able to acquire him ahead of the other potential suitors.
