Analysis: Bruins acquire D Andrej Meszaros from Flyers for conditional 3rd-round pick
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Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has confirmed the acquisition of defenseman Andrej Meszaros from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in 2014.
Condition to the pick in Meszaros trade: If Bruins reach ECF and he plays 2/3 of all of Bruins playoff games OR B's resign him, becomes 2nd
— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) March 5, 2014
The 28-year-old has registered five goals and 12 assists while averaging 17:22 of ice time for the Flyers this season. As per Extra Skater, Meszaros began 54.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, with a Corsi for percentage of 49.2 at even strength.
Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Meszaros has appeared in 46 career postseason games, registering four goals and 11 assist for 15 points.
Meszaros is also a three-time Olympian, representing Slovakia in the 2006 (Turin), 2010 (Vancouver) and 2014 (Sochi) Olympic Games; this fact may have been an impetus in the acquisition, as it had been previously reported that countryman and Bruins captain Zdeno Chara had been nudging the team towards this deal.
As per Chiarelli, the Bruins accomplished what they set out to do with this move, as well as a waiver claim made on defenseman Corey Potter.
Chiarelli on Corey Potter & Andrej Meszaros: "we acquired these two players for depth, we have a core and this is bolstering that core" ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2014
Chiarelli: "main intention of today was to bolster our depth" - also said he felt club laid groundwork for deals later on, too ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2014
Chiarelli added Meszaros will join the team on Thursday, but may not jump right into the lineup.
Chiarelli says it will be Julien's decision if Meszaros plays tomorrow. Philly plays man-to-man, Boston plays zone, so he'll have to adjust.
— Mike Cole (@MikeColeNESN) March 5, 2014