The Boston Bruins are involved in trade talks with the Ottawa Senators for defenceman Chris Phillips, according to a report from Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com.
Phillips, 35, in the final year of his three-year contract (average salary cap hit of $3.08 million) and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
The report comes just hours after Phillips said there wasn’t much going on in terms of a contract negotiation with the Senators.
Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has said he’s looking to add a defenceman to the club after losing Dennis Seidenburg to a season-ending knee injury. Adam McQuaid remains out with a leg injury. The timeline for his return to action remains unclear.
It is expected that it would cost the Bruins a young player or a prospect to acquire Phillips. One possible candidate mentioned in the ESPN report was Providence Bruins forward Ryan Spooner, who has suited up in 22 games with Boston this season.
Chiarelli has a history with Phillips from his days as an assistant general manager with the Senators.
The Calgary native has one goal, 12 assists, 20 penalty minutes and a minus-8 rating in 50 games this season. He has spent his entire 17-year career with the Senators.
