In the hours leading up to Friday's opening round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Bruins chatter was heating up. With the Bruins already on record as desperately wanting to move back into the first round, many expected a move to be made. But as the hours passed by Friday, a different sort of move started to surface.

The chatter quickly became that the Bruins were close to filling their need of a bigger body on the left side of their defense. Digging some more, it sounded as if the Oilers Oscar Klefbom was the Bruins target.

Despite all the chatter, Don Sweeney and company stayed put and ended up having one boring first round.

“Painful. That was excruciating. Let’s try not to let that happen again. You’re really disappointed that you’re coming out empty-handed (Friday) tonight," Sweeney told the media.

"I’ve said all along that draft and development is going to be a lifeline. I still don’t regret at the time making the decision. We were really looking upon our hockey club and we all said that we were in it to win it."

Sweeney admitted that he had talks with teams about trading for a first round pick, but as it often is, it proved to be too difficult of a task.

"You saw there was only two teams that moved back. Very difficult, as I referenced, the closer you get, the shine really starts to happen for players that you think might be there, and you can't blame clubs," said Sweeney. "It's been referenced that teams that get to pick at the top of the draft, generally, have gone through some pain to get there, and they're anxious to make their pick."

With the door closed on the first round, the Bruins will shift their attention to day two where they pick five times: 2nd Round (57th overall), 3rd Round (77th), 4th Round (119th), 6th Round (181st), and 7th Round (212th).

Expect the Bruins to target defense, and centers on Saturday.

Bruins meet and send offer to Kovalchuk camp

The possibility of Ilya Kovalchuk coming to Boston has become much more realistic. After meeting with the Kovalchuk camp on Friday, the Bruins have officially submitted their offer and now nervously await a decision.

Both Sweeney and head coach Bruce Cassidy have come out and addressed how special of a player Kovalchuk is and how well he would fit with the Bruins.

“The scoring potential, the size and strength — you know, again, it’s five years removed from the NHL. A lot has changed, if you think about the last five years and what’s transpired in that league. But I think he’ll be fine,” Sweeney said. “He’s played on big stages and been very successful. Unique talent and fits in to probably a slot that we could utilize — or, hopefully utilize, if it comes to fruition.”

Kovalchuk can not officially sign until July 1st, but the Bruins are one of four teams in the running for the services of Kovalchuk.

UPDATE: Minutes after posting this blog, it is announced that Kovalchuck intends to sign with the Kings. A three-year deal.

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