BUFFALO - Ten days ago, the notion that the Bruins would trade away Shaone Morrisonn and Jeff Jillson would have seemed almost incredible. Dumping top young defense prospects is not generally considered a sure-fire method for building an NHL winner.

But the deals made by general manager Mike O'Connell cannot be evaluated for months, or years. Getting Sergei Gonchar for Morrisonn may well end up a rent-a-player arrangement, since it seems improbable Gonchar will be re-signed.