Bruins Trade, Pats News, Celts Lose, and More

Daniel Paille will fill holes left by Kobasew and Lucic.

BRUINS

It's been a busy week for GM Peter Chiarelli. For the second time in three days, the Bruins have announced a trade.

The Bruins will send a 3rd round draft pick as well as a conditional 4th round pick in 2010 to the Buffalo Sabres in return for winger Daniel Paille.

Paille is expected to fill the role recently vacated by Chuck Kobasew, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild late Sunday night in a similar deal. Paille, the 20th overall draft choice from the 2002 entry draft, registered just 27 points in 73 games last season for the Sabres. He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, so the Bruins assume no financial risk beyond this year.

The Bruins front office is hopeful the latest roster moves will inject some life into a team that has been playing inconsistent and just lost young star Milan Lucic. Paille had his best season for the Sabres in '07-'08 when he notched 19 goals with 16 assists, for 35 total points.

Paille is expected to arrive in time for tomorrows morning skate. He will also be available for tomorrow night's game at home against Nashville.

This is the first trade ever between Boston and Buffalo.

NOTES:

• The Bruins called up Vladimir Sobotka and Brad Marchand from the Providence Bruins.
• Sobotka played 25 games with the B's last season but only had one goal. He balready has four goals in just six games for the Baby B's so far.
• Guillaume Lefebvre, who made his NHL debut on Saturday, will continue to see action with the big club.
• Byron Bitz (sore neck) may miss tomorrow's game.
• Dennis Wideman hasn't played in 10 days, will likely return tomorrow night.

PATRIOTS

The Patriots recieved some bad injury news this evening. The team announced rookie WR/PR Julian Edelman broke his arm in Sunday's big win. Edelman was starting to develop into a consistent option on the offensive side of the ball and was returning punts regularly. The rookie out of Kent State made a great transition from NCAA QB to NFL WR, but he may be done for the season.

The team now lacks significant depth behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The loss of Edelman and Joey Galloway leaves us with Sam Aiken as the only other WR on the active roster. It is widely believed that rookie Brandon Tate will be activated for the PUP list. The speedster out of UNC is coming off knee surgery and is an option at receiver and in the return game. Lets cross our fingers that Moss and Welker stay healthy. It is interesting to note that WR Terrance Nunn, who impressed in the preseason is an option to be elevated from the team's practice squad.

In more news, Tully Banta-Cain signed a two year extension with the Pats. TBC is tied for the team lead in sacks with three and his salary has increased to $1.3 million in 2010, $1.5 million in 2011 and an increase in this year's salary. His salary can escalate depending on play, so expect the pass rusher to be plenty motivated. The initial reason for the release is because Banta-Cain's previous one-year contract was not allowed to be extended until after the year.

NOTES:

• The Patriots are believed to have done a similar release/extension with LB Eric Alexander, but there have been conflicting.
• The Patriots will not have to give the Giants a draft pick for TE Michael Matthews who was cut today. A pick going to the Giants was conditional and the terms were not met.

CELTICS

The Celts lost to the Knicks tonight in their second to last preseason game. After only allowing over 90 points twice in six games, the C's gave up 108 to the Knicks at MSG.

Since Doc will sit the Big Three tomorrow night in the prseason finale against the Cavs, he used this game to test out a lot different lineups. He featured lineups with Sheed at the four with Perk, and at the five with Garnett, as well as sets with House, Daniels, and Ray in at the same time. Not to mention, Doc let a lineup of House, Daniels, Giddens, Scalibrine, and Sheed finish off the last half of the fourth quarter to give them all experience at the end of the game.

NOTES:

• Rajon Rondo was an efficient 9-14 from the field tonight on his way to 20 points, and he added seven assists.
• Marquis also played well in 21 minutes off the bench scoring 17 points on 7-11 shooting.
• Eddie House continues to shoot well and he had three 3 pointers.
• KG played great D is in his final tune-up game.
• Big Baby curiously only played nine minutes tonight. Perhaps they plan to run him hard tomorrow night.
• Click here for a complete box score.