Bruins deal for goalie

Wow. The Montreal Canadiens have really done it this time. Montreal ended up sending goalie Jeff Hackett to their division rivals, the Boston Bruins, in a three-way trade involving the San Jose Sharks. God himself would have trouble explaining how the Canadiens let this deal go down.

Hackett has played solid hockey this year, filling in admirably when Montreal starter Jose Theodore was playing downright awful hockey earlier this year. Montreal General Manager Andre Savard must have taken a solid dose of crazy pills to give the Bruins, who fought them hard in the playoffs last year, a chance to rebound in the standings.

In return, the Canadiens picked up forward Niklas Sundstorm. Montreal better hope that Sundstorm can score on Hackett, because it's pretty much assured these teams will meet up again. And Savard better cross his fingers that Hackett's play deteriorates.

For Bruins GM Mike Mike O'Connell, life is all roses, as he got Boston its first real starting goalie of the season, one who has playoff experience to boot. All he had to give up for the goalie was defenseman Kyle McLaren, who had been holding out so far this season. The Bruins are also getting a young defenseman in Jeff Jillson to replace McLaren. The only downside to the trade is that Hackett is a free agent after this season, and will probably do what many free agents have done before _ leave Boston as soon as he can.

The San Jose Sharks, the third team involved in the trade, picked up McLaren and should benefit from his presence, especially since their defense has struggled all season. McLaren should make them a lot tougher, and his addition could push them into the playoff hunt.

The likelihood of that happening is pretty low, however, since McLaren has not played in nine months, and will need most of the rest of the season just to get back into the swing.

As Boston, San Jose and Montreal took part in big trades to help reverse poor play, other teams are struggling with their rosters, but are trying to rectify the problems with internal changes. This list of teams includes last year's Stanley Cup finalists, the Carolina Hurricanes, who started off the season lukewarm and have only gotten colder. There is some hope there because of the great play of former backup goalie Kevin Weekes, who has been playing in place of former starter Artus Irbe.

Carolina sits more than five games under .500, and the trade rumors are starting to get serious. But, after playing poorly all season without making any moves, the Hurricanes' management may wait for until the trade deadline, when teams are looking for playoff help, before becoming active in the trade market.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been fairly quiet on the trade front this season as well, despite very mediocre play and some nasty losing streaks. Mario Lemieux is out with a groin injury, and the Penguins are now actively shopping forward Alexei Kovalev. It looks like the talented scorer will be going to the Colorado Avalanche, a team which is starting to play championship level hockey, despite recently losing captain Joe Sakic for four to six weeks.



Theo Fleury Watch

Well, at least he does it with style. Fleury, along with two other unnamed Chicago Blackhawks, was involved last week in a brawl at an Ohio strip bar. Fleury, who is in the aftercare stage of the NHL's substance abuse program, has not commented, but the team says that it is sticking with the talented/troubled winger, and hope to work through the problem. With Chicago mired in a six game winless streak, they better sort something out _ fast.