Sweeney shows patience

No deals imminent

Trying to divine the meaning in Don Sweeney’s voluble statements can sometimes entail a good deal of reading between the lines, but the Bruins general manager made it crystal clear last night that he’s not finding any attractive trade offers as the NHL trade deadline looms at 3 p.m. today.

So, simply, what’s happening?

“Nothing imminent,” said Sweeney just before last night’s faceoff against the Arizona Coyotes at the Garden, where the Bruins prevailed, 4-1, to extend their successful record to 7-1-0 under interim coach Bruce Cassidy.

“Certainly (I’ve) been in a lot of talks, exploring some different situations that might possibly help our team,” said Sweeney. “But (I’m) not really that anxious to necessarily complete something just for the sake of completing it.

“It’s always been about what can help us now, with an eye toward the future. That might not (be) represented now. The timing might not be there for that.”

That eye toward the future is the whole key for Sweeney & Co., who are wisely unwilling to deal away valuable young prospects or draft choices in pursuit of a short-term upgrade. The GM made it clear he might consider dealing a good prospect in an area where the B’s have depth, but not for a rental player.

“It’s always been with an eye toward what we’ve put in place and moving forward,” said Sweeney. “Most of the conversations we have revolve around some of the particular prospects that we feel are going to be a big part of our organization. We’re not going to deviate.”

With only a small handful of non-playoff teams that are so-called “sellers,” and thus a small supply of players available in the trade market, teams looking to move assets are asking too much in return.

“That hasn’t changed,” said Sweeney. “We went through this last year and (this year) it’s very, very similar. You don’t blame teams. There’s a deadline for a reason, and the supply of players certainly falls off at that point in time. So teams are going to get what they can.”

Sweeney revealed the other day in Los Angeles he’d been browsing the market for a left-handed-shooting defenseman, a third-line winger with scoring ability and maybe a backup goalie. Players fitting the bill are probably available, just not at the price being asked.

“I’ve talked to every team in the league,” said the GM. “I’m well aware of everyone who’s on the move.”

Sweeney spoke candidly about the No. 2 goalie situation.

“Anton (Khudobin) has played well his last couple of starts,” he said. “It was certainly an area of concern for us. I’ve had some discussions, yes.”

Could the B’s have interest in veteran goalie Jaroslav Halak, 31, a former starter for the Canadiens, Blues and Islanders? The 5-foot-11 Slovakian, who’s played 388 NHL games and won 206 times, is playing for the Isles’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Conn. But he has one more year left at $4.5 million, which is probably too much for even a high-quality No. 2.

Organizationally, the B’s aren’t in the same win-now place as Washington (Kevin Shattenkirk) and Pittsburgh (Ron Hainsey), top contenders who paid steep prices to add useful pieces.

“Teams that are well positioned have certainly put their chips in,” said Sweeney. “We’re still trying to climb. We understand that. We’d like to just take care of the next 20 games and go from there.

“If I can add and improve our club, I’ve always been committed to that. The organization’s committed to that, with an eye toward what we’ve put in place to move forward.”

Overall, the patience being displayed by Sweeney is admirable, and becomes easier when the team performs as well as it has since the coaching change.

“I liked the result of six of (the games),” said Sweeney before last night’s win. “(And) I thought we could have won the other game (in Anaheim, but) let it slip away. I think our team has started well in every one of these games. Our pace and energy seem to be good. So that’s the challenge: To hopefully continue that.”

He insisted the recent upturn didn’t change his thinking on deadline moves.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “Obviously we feel good about the recent play and hopefully we can continue it. It’s a reflection on the players and their response to Bruce and his staff. We feel good about that. Obviously the challenge is going to be in the next 20 games, maintaining it.”

The idea: Make the playoffs with what you’ve got — and without giving away your future.