Grading Boston Bruins' Deals at the 2015 Trade Deadline

The NHL trade deadline is a fun time if you are a team with assets and cap space. It isn't fun if you are like the Boston Bruins, a team with no cap space and a number of players who have to be paid next summer.

Nonetheless, general Peter Chiarelli made some moves at the deadline that he hopes will benefit his squad. This could be the last run at the Stanley Cup featuring the Bruins as they are currently constructed, so it will be important for the team to make the most of its additions.

Here is a look at how the Bruins did at the deadline.

Bruins Acquire Brett Connolly

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To Boston Bruins: Brett Connolly

To Tampa Bay Lightning: 2015 second-round pick, 2016 second-round pick

The Bruins wanted to add a forward at the deadline, and they acquired a rather underrated one in Brett Connolly. He ranked fourth on the team in goals scored per 60 minutes according to Pete Jensen of NHL.com, and he can add some secondary scoring to the Bruins roster.

The 22-year-old has 12 goals in 50 games this year, and with more ice time, he could increase that total in Boston.

Giving up two drafts picks was tough, but it will be worth it if Boston makes the playoffs. If not, they gave up a very late first-rounder, and when you consider the depth of the upcoming draft, that would be a bit disappointing. 

Grade: B+

Bruins Acquire Max Talbot

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To Boston Bruins: Max Talbot and Paul Carey

To Colorado Avalanche: Jordan Caron and 2016 sixth-round pick

The Bruins added a fourth-line role player for the price of Jordan Caron and a late pick in the 2016 draft. Talbot is a versatile forward with loads of playoff experience, and a guy general manager Peter Chiarelli described as a "glue guy," per Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com.

Although Talbot is an upgrade to the bottom six, the team really didn't need to make a move like this. It would have been better to address the blue line, so this can be seen as a move for the sake of making a move.

Paul Carey was also included in the deal, but he's a 26-year-old who has been a career AHL player to this point of his career.

Grade: C-

Bruins Acquire Zack Phillips

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To Boston Bruins: Zack Phillips

To Minnesota Wild: Jared Knight

The Bruins made a minor league trade at the deadline that sent Jared Knight to Minnesota in exchange for Zack Phillips.

Per an NHL.com report, Phillips has 75 points in 196 games as opposed to Knight's 27 points in 107 games. This deal was the simple exchange of one prospect who is further along in his development than the other, and it will not have any impact on the Bruins this season.

Grade: B

Bruins Do Not Acquire Chris Stewart

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Chris Stewart was traded to the Minnesota Wild on deadline day, and the Bruins had been interested in the forward for quite some time. On deadline day an offer of two picks in exchange for Chris Stewart, Michal Neuvirth and Brian Flynn was rightfully declined by Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray.

However, it was also revealed by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN that the Bruins had offered center Ryan Spooner and a second-round pick for Stewart back in October, but that deal was also declined.

Peter Chiarelli is really lucky that Tim Murray didn't accept his first offer, because that would have been a lopsided trade in favor of Buffalo. Ultimately Stewart would have helped the Bruins at the price Chiarelli offered on deadline day, but missing out on him isn't a huge loss.

Grade: C

Trade details via NHL.com's trade tracker.