Flyers sending Andrej Meszaros to Boston. 3rd round pick in return.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=707270

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired a third-round choice in the 2014 National Hockey League Entry Draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Brandon Pirri.

 

The Flyers had their typical nice bounce-back effort after an epic shitshow, following up a 7-3 stinker at home vs. San Jose with a nice 4-2 win over the Rangers. Dan Carcillo seems to be fitting in nicely over there, he was especially pesty/chirpy today but didn't really draw any penalties. He did get run pretty good by Zac Rinaldo.

One of the reasons I think the Bs should act at the deadline and bring in some veteran help, preferably in the top 4, is that I don't trust Bart in that role.  As a bottom pairing defenseman with mobility, average-ish size, and a good team guy I'd be OK with him in a bottom 2 role.  However, I think McQuaid or Miller as a hard-hitting stay at home defender and Krug as the agile PP weapon who you don't want to overexpose as a top 4 even strength option have those bases covered in a more useful way.  

Numbers:  Bartkowski is 25 years old, listed as 6'1" and 196 lbs.  He is a veteran of 175 AHL games and in those games is a total of 11-58-69.  In his last major season with Providence, he was good for 3-21-24 in 56 games.  So, he produced modestly in the AHL but nothing to write home about.  You know his numbers in Boston:  0-11-11 in 42 games.  He isn't afraid to take the body (99 hits) though he doesn't have a lot of loud hits he's doing well there.  He's not a shot blocker, but that's ok.  He's played increased minutes as time has gone on, up to 19:12 per game with virtually no PP time (11 sec/game).  He's 4th on the D corps in giveaways with 19, and I wouldn't read a whole lot into that in such a small sample (though I will question his decision making in the next paragraph).  Advanced stats seem to be kinda "meh" on him:  

http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/ratings.php?disp=1&db=201314&sit=5v5&pos=defense&minutes=100&teamid=3&type=corsi&sort=PCT&sortdir=DESC

Scouting:  http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/2013_Boston_Bruins_end_of_season_prospects_roundup-_10-1

I think the most disturbing thing I see with Bart is his hockey brain.  I like his mobility, but instead of a one-man breakout, he seems more to be a one-man dump-in.  His skating ability is good enough to get him to where he wants to be but he doesn't do much to create opportunities.  He doesn't see the ice well and he's not an inspiring playmaker, which is why he doesn't get much PP time.  He's never been a goal scorer, at any level, and his shot isn't at the level of a Krug or Trotman.  His defensive decision making is slow and generally questionable.  For example, his backing off of Alex Steen on a 3-on-3 during the STL game.  Generally, he seems to be slow to react because he's not sure if he's doing the right thing.  In his own words, “When I start thinking all hell breaks loose.”  That's from a Mick Colageo article, which I think is a good read:

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/bruins/2014/02/04/time-counting-down/

To sum, I see the kid as a 'tweener.  He's not big enough or dependable enough to be a solid defensive top 4 and he's not good enough with the puck nor does he have the vision to hold down a top 4 spot offensively.  I think if the team's blueline were constructed a bit differently, he'd be a better fit.  However, with a number of decent prospects in the pipeline who are either better defensively (Miller), have a better package of size and shot (Trotman) or have better offensive upside (Morrow), I see Bartkowski more as a good trade chip.  I think some GM will fall in love with his skating stride and gamble on him becoming more than a bottom pairing guy.  At 25, I don't think he has that kind of projection left in him.

So, fire away!