Underachieving Bruins plan to be buyers as NHL trade deadline looms

With their season slowing slipping away, the Boston Bruins will go into the NHL trade deadline as buyers, particularly in search of scoring help.

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One of the most disappointing teams in the NHL, the Boston Bruins entered Wednesday’s game at the Edmonton Oilers in the midst of a four-game losing streak while also seeing its grip on the final wild card spot slipping away.

Lack of scoring has killed the B’s all season, as they are 22nd in the league with just 2.59 goals scored per game. It is that need for firepower that will have the Bruins as strong buyers entering the March 2 trade deadline, according to ESPNBoston.com writer Joe McDonald.

General manager Peter Chiarelli heads down the stretch in need of someone who can light a lamp more frequently than anyone on the current roster, as the Bruins do not have a player among the top 50 scorers in the league. Boston is targeting forwards Chris Stewart and Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres along with Arizona Coyotes forwards Antoine Vermette and Martin Erat, while also looking at Jordan Eberle, who the Bruins will see in person on Wednesday night.

The team has tried in-house to solve the hole at right wing, as the loss of Jarome Iginla has haunted the Bruins all season. Rookie David Pastrnak showed flashes with four goals in two games last month, but the 18-year-old has just one goal since January 13 and has been replaced by Reilly Smith, who hasn’t provided much production as well. Smith’s assist in Monday’s overtime loss at Calgary marked only the second point he has tallied in his last seven games; Smith has just one goal since December 29.

If they’re going to get a little, the Bruins are going to have to give a little, which means Smith could be part of a potential package for a productive forward. Defenseman Matt Bartkowski and forward Jordan Caron are also atop the list of available players Chiarelli could add in a deal.

Another barrier facing the Bruins would be the fact they lack wiggle room to make a major deal. Boston has just $2.24 million in cap space, which does not count the fact Boston will have to ante up with Smith and defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Torie Krug — each of whom are restricted free agents — this summer.

Boston has the talent available to get hot at the right time, and any team that has a goalie the caliber of Tukka Rask will be dangerous in the postseason. First of all, the Bruins have to get there, which means Chiarelli must find the firepower to bolster an anemic offense.

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