The Boston Bruins did not shy away from beating the trade deadline and dealt a number of future picks to add veterans right wing Lee Stempniak and defenseman John-Michael Liles to their roster. 

Stempniak was traded from the New Jersey Devils which, in return, received a 2016 fourth-round pick and a 2017 second-round pick. 

Liles, on the other hand, came from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future third-round and fifth-round picks together with left wing Anthony Camara who is playing in the minors. 

The two already made their debuts for the Bruins, seeing action in a 2–1 home win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. 

Playing for the Devils this season, Stempniak had ice time in 63 games, tallying 16 goals and 25 assists (41 points). 

Before suiting up for the Devils and Bruins, the 33-year-old right wing also had stops with the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, the then Phoenix Coyotes (now based in Arizona), Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets, and the New York Rangers. 

Unlike Stempniak, Liles had more steady stints with the teams he played for in the National Hockey League (NHL). 

Before representing the Hurricanes then heading to Boston, the 35-year-old defenseman only played for two other teams, the Colorado Avalanche and the Maple Leafs. 

This season while playing for Carolina in 64 games, Liles recorded six goals and nine assists (15 points). 

The trade moves were accomplished by the Bruins perhaps to add veteran leadership and experience to the roster, with the regular season winding down. 

Boston is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference of the NHL with a 35–23–6 record. 

Last season, for the first time since the 2006–07 season, the Bruins failed to reach the playoffs, snapping a seven-season streak of making it past the regular season. 

The three-game home stand will continue for the Bruins this Thursday when they play the second game against the Chicago Blackhawks.