Are the Bruins interested in Tyler Kennedy?

LATEST RUMBLINGS

Looking for third line help, Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli was in attendance at the Penguins – Flyers game last night.

Speculation has been rampant of Chiarelli and the Flyers talking trade about a forward-defenseman swap but rumors out of Boston are suggesting Tyler Kennedy up as a possible player of interest for the Bruins.

The Latest from Bruins Insider Joe Haggerty:

“The question is what the Bruins might be looking for in return, and whether Chiarelli was in Pittsburgh watching the Penguins or the Flyers. It’s no secret the Bruins general manager is looking for depth and perhaps a little scoring ability at the wing position, and there was plenty of that on display for the Penguins and Flyers.

The B’s are middle of the pack offensively while averaging 2.7 goals per season and their third line still isn’t firing on all cylinders.

Penguins forward Tyler Kennedy has been on the hot seat after Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero said he needed to “pick up his game” about a week ago, and he is in the final year of a contract paying him $2 million per season. Kennedy is the kind of player that could make for a nice fit as a winger on Boston’s third line if the Bruins are looking for an upgrade with a grit/offense package, and he scored a goal for the Penguins while Chiarelli was watching last night’s game.”

My Take: Count the Penguins in as another team exploring help for a top-9 forward. It’s odd to see top contenders make trades but the word I’ve been getting on Tyler Kennedy has been consistent. He’s in play for the right deal and the Penguins will strongly consider moving him were they to decide in the coming weeks that he won’t be worth a tender of $2.1 million next season. A decision on Kennedy will be coming leading up to the deadline as the Penguins would want to try to get something for him, were Shero and his staff feel it’s going to be time to turn the page next season. Kennedy, though, is a player Shero is comfortable with as he has played a regular role with the team since 2007-2008.