This space is usually reserved to break down tonight’s matchup as the B’s and Bolts prepare to battle for second place in the Atlantic Division and pull within two points of the first-place Florida Panthers. Instead, with the trade deadline looming, today’s focus will be on the final hours leading up to the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline.

Some notable transactions have occurred over the last several hours, so let’s get you up to speed on those and the implications for the Bruins as we approach Monday’s 3:00 p.m. deadline.

Bruins put two on waiver wire

I tend to believe that putting two fourth liners on waivers isn’t a prelude for GM Don Sweeney to make a deal. Nonetheless, I have seen stranger things happen this time of the year.

Just hours after the Bruins’ win in Carolina, GM Don Sweeney placed Max Talbot on waivers. Talbot cleared waivers this afternoon and did not take part in the morning skate. Zac Rinaldo, who was on the ice this morning skating with his fourth line compadres Landon Ferraro and Joonas Kemppainen, was placed on waivers leaving the Black and Gold with 11 forwards for the time being.

Nonetheless, the Bruins will clear a little bit of cap space if Rinaldo clears waivers and is assigned to Providence or is claimed by another team.

The #Bruins will clear $182,796 in cap space if Rinaldo is reassigned to AHL or is claimed off of waivershttps://t.co/MgUTNVgceU

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) February 28, 2016

Panthers loading up  

Looking to add a few veterans for the stretch run, Florida GM Dale Tallon made a few notable upgrades on Saturday with the acquisitions of forwards Jiri Hudler from Calgary, (for a second round pick in 2016 and a fourth rounder in 2018) Teddy Purcell from Edmonton (for a third round pick in 2016) and defenseman Jakub Kindl from Detroit (for a 2017 sixth round pick). 

The Panthers’ surprise run to first in the Atlantic has been one of the most intriguing stories of the season. Tallon is hoping that his recent moves upgrade them from surprise team to Cup contenders.

The latest on Loui Eriksson

Any decision with Eriksson’s future will likely happen in the 11th hour. In the short-term, it appears that Eriksson will be skating for the Bruins tonight with fellow linemates David Krejci and David Pastrnak. Eriksson and the Bruins still seem to be far apart on a new contract according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

Seeing as the B’s still have 11 forwards for the time being, it’s hard to think that Eriksson won’t be suiting up tonight. Here is Dreger’s tweet from earlier today:

Play him tonight or not? Eriksson ext talks in slo-mo. Will be more today. If he sits, have to trade him. Strong market for scoring winger. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 28, 2016

Eriksson spoke to the media after the morning skate today but declined to comment specifically on the negotiations. In his words to the press “we’ll see what happens.”

Bruins interested in veteran defensemen

A couple of names that have been linked to the Bruins over the past 24 hours both hail from the Pacific Division. One name, Dan Hamhuis, has quite the familiarity facing the Bruins during the 2011 Stanley Cup, while another, the Flames’ Kris Russell, is the younger of the two.

The Boston Bruins have interest in Dan Hamhuis and at the moment, no reason to believe Hamhuis doesn’t view Boston as an option.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2016

Kris Russell was informed yesterday he is likely to be traded. No surprise. Very strong market. Pitt and Bos frontrunners. #TradeCentre — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2016

Although Hamhuis and Russell could be upgrades, it’s hard to imagine that either blue-liner would be a part of the Bruins’ long-term plans. Torey Krug is due for a contract extension at the end of the year while Brad Marchand (a scheduled UFA after the 2016-17 season) will command a hefty raise and David Pastrnak’s entry level deal expires after next year.