NESN

Reports: Ray Whitney, Erik Cole, Tomas Kaberle Among Bruins’ Targets at Deadline

'Twas the night before the 2010 NHL trade deadline, and not a peep could be heard from Causeway Street.

After Boston's 4-1 loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday night, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was likely bunkering down in the bowels of the Bruins front office with a Blackberry glued to his ear, trying to make something happen for his Bruins team that once again blew another third-period lead, this time to its hated rivals.

"I haven't heard much from the Bruins front office today or tonight," one source said as the clock neared midnight. "I know Chiarelli wants a D-man bad, and obviously, [the Bruins] need help up front, but I think he has had some deals fall through on defensemen."

Watching his team fail to pad an early 1-0 lead and waste another solid effort by rookie goaltender Tuukka Rask may shift Chiarelli's focus. There is one problem, though: Chiarelli's main target, alleged to be Hurricanes veteran sniper Ray Whitney, is still holding up any possible deals with his no-movement clause because he wants to sign an extension with whatever team he is dealt to. Sources claim that the Kings, who had a deal in place for Whitney but backed out because Whitney wanted a three-year extension, may still get the coveted winger.

Late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, NESN.com also learned that the Bruins are also looking closely at Whitney's Carolina teammate, Erik Cole, a forward they coveted last season when he was with
the Oilers. The 31-year-old Cole is set to be a unrestricted free agent
this summer.

Another name that started to pop up again in trade chatter on Tuesday was Blues forward and Malden, Mass., native Keith Tkachuk. However, reports out of St. Louis have maintained that he prefers to stay put.

Also, a reliable source told me that despite numerous reports, it is "not 100 percent certain" that Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle still won't change his mind and waive his no-movement clause. If Kaberle, who played with David Krejci on the Czech Olympic team, did waive it, the Bruins likely would be first in line to acquire him, just as they reportedly tried to do at the NHL draft last June when a deal involving Phil Kessel fell apart. Kessel of course, was eventually dealt to Toronto for first- and second-round picks in 2010 and another first-round pick in 2011. The 2010 first-rounder likely won't be available back from Boston, but Chiarelli could net Kaberle with the Bruins' original 2010 first-rounder, possibly a second-rounder and a young roster player. The chances of this happening were unlikely as of Tuesday night, but "don't rule it out," the source said. "Anything can happen."

The most interesting rumor making the rounds at TD Garden on Tuesday, though, was a claim that Edmonton and Boston were working on a multiplayer deal that would land the Bruins a defenseman and forward — and winger Andrew Cogliano was rumored to be the forward. The Oilers are trying to unload contracts, but with the Bruins up against the cap, they would need Edmonton to absorb some salary or deal some salary elsewhere to make that trade happen.

Chiarelli is definitely trying to make a move, but his cap situation and some high prices seem to have the Bruins in a holding pattern as they enter the final hours until the 3 p.m. deadline.