Bruins Make Gutsy -- And Necessary -- Move

The last place, underachieving Boston Bruins finally made the drastic move that we have all been waiting for. Late last night the Bruins dealt their captain, All-Star Joe Thornton, to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Brad Stuart, winger Marco Sturm and center Wayne Primeau. This move is similar, although maybe not as big, as the July 2004 trade of Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs that brought back Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkieicz (and a World Series) to the Red Sox. As in that move, the Bruins are now trading the face of their franchise, Thornton, for some unknown names (at least in these parts). This will be wildly unpopular in these parts as Thornton is a Boston favorite -- a former No. 1 overall pick, Thornton gives glimpses of what could be a Hall-of-Fame career. But for the most part Jumbo Joe has not lived up to the super expectations bestowed upon him by the Gallery Gods on Causeway Street. Since coming to the B's in 1997, the team has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs and the last three times they were bounced in the first round, twice as the No. 1 seed in the conference. Not to put all the blame on Joe but there are times when he seems to be sitting back, waiting for the game to come to him, when instead he should be attacking, especially with all of his skills. A 6-4, 230-pound center with the slick passing skills of Thornton should be a yearly MVP candidate playing with the likes of Sergei Samsanov, Glen Murray and Patrice Bergeron. Instead the Boston fans get an inconsistent performance from their big star (0 points against Montreal in their 2004 first round playoff loss -- broken ribs or not, the guy wearing the "C" should at least produce an assist). The three players that general manager Mike O'Connell brought back are not flashy but the will give the B's much needed quality depth, something this team desperately needs. Stuart, a top 3 defenseman, has the potential to shine and both Sturm and Primeau help the Bruins forward lines. So, Joe, good luck in San Jose. You may never have lived up to the hype in Boston but you are a super-talented player who could be in the Hall-of-Fame someday down the road. Hopefully this trade is the wake up call for your career that you need. As for the new guys ... good luck. Boston is in no way shape or form San Jose. The pressure to poroduce here is nothing like skating in California. But if you do your jobs than life will be a little bit easier.