fFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Bruins confirmed Friday afternoon what the rumor mill had been churning for about an hour: They've traded restricted free-agent Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames.
The return is all 2015 draft choices: Calgary's first-round pick (No. 15 overall) and two second-round choices (45th and 52nd overall).
According to an NHL source, Edmonton -- now run by former Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli -- offered Boston the 16th, 33rd and 57th picks for Hamilton, but the Bruins wanted 20-year-old defenseman Darnell Nurse as part of the package. CHiarelli balked, and the B's turned elsewhere.
And now the rumor mill resumes churning again, specifically about another potential deal before the first round of the NHL Draft tonight. The B's have been talking with the Arizona Coyotes about acquiring the third overall choice in the draft, with Hamilton as the main bait. Now that he's in Calgary, the Bruins may attempt to send multiple draft choices to Arizona. Boston reportedly is interested in Boston College defenseman (and Norwood, Mass., native) Noah Hanifin.
Adding to the intrique:
-- A second trade -- Milan Lucic to the Kings -- is apparently close to being completed.
-- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune says the Bruins are also one of the teams pursuing Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp.
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More to come . . .