Bruins Finish Shopping With Stempniak

			2016		2016	2017
To Boston	POS	GP	G/W	P	Cap	Status
Lee Stempniak	F	63	16	41	$850k	UFA
--------------
To New Jersey	POS	GP	G/W	P	Cap	Status
2016 4th Round Draft Pick
2017 2nd Round Draft Pick

Is the window closing on the Boston Bruins or something?  Much like the Los Angeles Kings, these guys are a much better playoff team then they are a regular season team and all they have to do is make it into the Spring Dance, just to become a contender in the East.

With that being said, the Bruins have been gearing up for a playoff run and the acquisition of Lee Stempniak from the Devils is making the best of a limited situation at today's trade deadline, offering up a couple more draft picks to make themselves better equipped for April, May and possibly June.

Stempniak has had a career resurgence in New Jersey this year, nearing the 20-goal plateau for a guy that had to earn a contract on a tryout in training camp and quickly became an asset worth dealing, because of his low cap hit and high offensive return.  This definitely worked for the Bruins, as it was all coming together for them.

The Devils did get a nice little haul of a couple of picks, which should help their own rebuild, which they have going on at the moment.  The marquee pick doesn't happen until 2017, but its still a pick worth keeping around, especially given the circumstances of the player.

In Benson's case, he needs a small miracle to ensure that his team won't end up in the pool's basement, although we've looked at most basement dwelling teams and they all seem to have some big injury flaws or more to them.  If Stempniak can keep the pace going in Boston, Benson could be safe from too much more falling.