Bruins Trade Sturm for Nothing

The Bruins traded winger Marco Sturm to the LA Kings for "future considerations." Though Bruins' GM Peter Chiarelli described that to mean "nothing." In essence, the Bruins sent Sturm to LA for cap space.

As a Marco Sturm fan, I'm sad to see him go. There are several wingers on the Bruins I'd prefer to be traded for nothing (anyone named Blake, and anyone from Newfoundland). Although those guys will be gone via free agency in the off-season.

Sturm had four 20+ goal seasons with the Bruins, and was an adept power player. He was fast and disciplined enough to earn time in defensive situations, and on the penalty kill. I would've loved to see him play on a line with Seguin and Savard.

I don't like how the Bruins have spent their money on forwards. Ryder collects $4 million this year. But then there's guys like Paille and Caron, who each make $1.1 million. For what? And I'm losing my patience with Bergeron. He's an amazing defensive forward, but he's borderline useless on offense. Or at least useless as far as $4.8 million forwards go.

And I loathe the NHL salary cap. I understand and accept it as a necessity, to keep the likes of Edmonton and Ottawa in the hunt. But when teams that have no fans bring the average revenue of the League down, it brings the cap number down, and just ruins the game for fans in cities that have fan support. Atlanta and Phoenix, for example, have good teams this year, yet are 28th and 30th in attendance, respectively. Dallas lead their division, and are 26th in attendance.

These places don't want hockey, so why is the NHL so adamant that they get hockey? The NHL refuses to consider relocating teams to Winnipeg, Hamilton, or Quebec. And they don't even know what the word "contraction" means.

Before I lose my train of though, Sturm will be missed. He should do well in LA, where they need some help with forwards, and have some talent he can compliment. So Auf wiedersehen, Herr Sturm. Und viel Glück.

-The Commodore

Marco Sturm Is Still a Bruin

The Bruins have come out and announced that despite asking Sturm to waive his no trade clause, and despite talking trade with other teams out there, Marco Sturm is still a member of the Boston Bruins.

Here's what happens. Someone hears something, perhaps a leak from the teams involved, about being very near to trading people. This "source" then conveys the info as a rumor to a "reporter." The reporter passes it along to his news "outlet" as a "report of a trade," not an actual trade, just a report. The "outlet" then uses words like "reportedly," or "sources say."

Then it hits the internet and sports radio. It's never been confirmed or announced as an official fact. It's just a report of a rumor that might be close to being a fact. But people like me (I would have written about it if I didn't have to go to work) report it as a fact, give our opinions on the deal, et cetera. Soon, so many people are reporting this rumor, that it feels like a solid fact. Newspapers write stories on their sites, ESPN, TSN, Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, everyone has the story.

But it's still a trade in the works, not a done deal. Actually, it seems to be a trade that died. It's pretty clear that the Bruins are actively shopping Sturm. And it's highly likely he won't be wearing a Bruins uniform when he returns from his injuries. But right now, he's still a member of the Bruins.

It's a shame, because he's one of my favorite players. And I'd love to see him and Seguin together on a speed line. But even if he does get shipped somewhere, my Marco Sturm German Olympic jersey will remain my favorite jersey.

-The Commodore

Breaking News: Marco Sturm Traded To The Kings (UPDATED)

Well I guess the Bruins won't have to figure out how to get under the cap when Marco Sturm returns as he has been reportedly shipped to the LA Kings. There is no word yet what the Bruins are getting in return. We'll keep you up to date when more information becomes available.

***UPDATE***

Rumor is the Bruins only got a conditional draft pick in return, since they are so close to the cap limit.