What Has Been Peter Chiarelli’s Best Move With the Bruins?

Since his arrival in 2006, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has helped reshape the Bruins into the Stanley Cup contenders they are today. As the Bruins head to Ottawa — where Chiarelli came from just four years ago — we look back at some of the best moves under Chiarelli’s management.

Bruins fans are some of the most dedicated and passionate on the planet (on Thursday, Claude Julien called them “perfect”) but they are also opinionated, so when they like or dislike a move made by Bruins management, they’ll let ’em hear it. Since he arrived in 2006, what Peter Chiarelli moves have made the most sense in the Bruins’ organization?

Clearly the move that currently stands out in everyone’s mind is the Phil Kessel trade. The B’s shipped their speedy scorer up to Toronto in return for three draft picks, a first and second rounder in 2010, and a first in 2011. The most glaring piece of that trade is that the Bruins drafted Tyler Seguin with the 2010 first round draft pick. Boston is still echoing with the chants of “Thank you Kessel!” after that one.

As of right now, it seems there’s nothing that Nathan Horton can’t do, and Bruins fans have Chiarelli to thank for that. Sending Dennis Wideman to Florida to bring in Horton and Gregory Campbell has definitely proven well for the black and gold. Both players are thrilled to be playing in a hockey town, and the fans seem to be happy as well.

Or was it the trade of then Providence Bruins defenseman Matt Hendricks for Colorado’s blueliner Johnny Boychuk? Boychuk played most of his first season with the P-Bruins, but once he got up to the Boston club he proved his worth in grit. Boychuk has the potential to develop into a strong defensive option for the Bruins once he gets healthy again.

The Bruins found a grizzled leader in league-veteran Mark Recchi. He’s played all over the league, but Chiarelli tracked him down in 2008 to bring that experience to the B’s. The Bruins traded Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums, both of which are no longer playing in the NHL.

Or was it another move made by Chiarelli that has impressed you most? Boston is a market that has definitely suited the Harvard grad, and he’s brought in plenty for fans to cheer about.

What do you think has been Peter Chiarelli’s best move in Boston? Share your thoughts below.

Thursday, Oct. 28: Will Michael Ryder be a consistent performer for the Bruins this season?

What move by Peter Chiarelli has impressed you the most?online survey