Brett Connolly to Bruins: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Boston Bruins looked to consolidate their position in the playoffs early Monday morning. The Bruins confirmed they acquired 22-year-old right wing Brett Connolly from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a release early Monday, via the team's official website:

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Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today, March 2, that the Bruins have acquired forward Brett Connolly from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the Bruins' natural second round draft pick in 2015 and the Bruins' natural second round draft pick in 2016.

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Connolly has played in 50 games this year, scoring 12 goals and assisting on three more.

Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk felt the deal was a bit anticlimactic with the trade deadline closing soon:

Pete Blackburn wonders where Connolly fits in with the Bruins in the long term:

The Lightning selected Connolly sixth overall in the 2010 entry draft, but his career has so far been rather underwhelming. In 134 career NHL games, he's amassed just 32 points (18 G, 14 A).

He's still young, though, so he might be able to put it all together in the right circumstances.

The Bruins currently hold a slim two-point edge on the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Trading for Connolly is unlikely to have a massive effect on Boston's postseason push, but the depth he provides could prove to be an asset.