NHL Trade Deadline: Boston Bruins Add Depth, Prepare to Wrap Up the Northeast

The Boston Bruins have acquired forward Brian Rolston and defenseman Mike Mottau from the New York Islanders, and defenseman Greg Zanon from the the Minnesota Wild.

The New York Islanders receive Yannick Riendeau, an undrafted free agent who signed with Boston in 2009, and 21-year-old defenseman Marc Cantin for Rolston and Mott.

Steven Kamper, a 2007 fouth-round pick, heads to Minnesota in exchange for the services of the 31-year-old Zanon.

In 39 games with the Wild this season, Zanon has blocked 104 shots and has 77 hits.

He will fit in well with the rugged Bruins defensive corps, which will be looking for an added boost given the inconsistent play of Joe Corvo this season, and the sudden hole that is created by the absence of Johnny Boychuk, who is out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms.

Just a season ago, Zanon finished with 212 blocked shots, good for second in the NHL.

Given his experience, the addition of Zanon could prove to be a very shrewd move by Bruins GM Chiarelli.

The presence of Zanon allows the Bruins to even out their defensive pairings. Zanon will most likely play alongside Dennis Seidenberg, who has become quite the shot-blocking demon in his own right.

Zdeno Chara will slot in beside Andrew Ference. Now, the Bruins have a very steady and experienced top-four pairing.

Kampfer appeared in 10 games for the Bruins this season and had become expendable, given the Bruins' organizational depth on the back end.

Chiarelli is very high on prospects Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Andrew Bodnarchuk, and decided this deal presented the perfect opportunity to maximize his assets.

Both players acquired from the Islanders are very familiar with the city of Boston.

Rolston played for the Bruins from 2000-04, while Mottau played college hockey at Boston College. His career as an Eagle was highlighted by winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2000.

Rolston produced four goals and recorded five assists in 49 games on the Island. While those numbers seem rather underwhelming, his booming slap shot could become an asset at the point on the Bruins power play.

Mottau was activated off the IR after missing the past 26 games with a concussion.

Given the assets that the Bruins surrendered to bring in three NHL-quality players, this trade deadline must be considered a major win for Chiarelli.

While the acquisitions aren't flashy in comparison to last year's additions of Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley, quite frankly, there wasn't much available in the trading market.

Chiarelli trusts that there is enough leadership in the Bruins locker room to overcome the adversities that are presented during the NHL playoffs.

Most importantly, Chiarelli remained patient and refused to be forced into a deal that he wasn't comfortable with.

Fresh off their Stanley Cup championship just a year prior, there is no pressure in Boston to enter "win now" mode in desperate fashion.

The Bruins squad has earned the right to go to war together, and the experience that will be gained in the upcoming postseason will pay off valuable dividends.

Chiarelli continues to build a team that is poised to be perennial Stanley Cup contenders in the coming seasons.