Sweeney: Bruins Having 'Very, Very Productive Talks' With Defenseman John-Michael Liles

BOSTON (CBS) -- Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney held a conference call with reporters on Thursday to announce the team's first moves of the summer: buying out Dennis Seidenberg and extending Torey Krug. However, the Bruins still have plenty of questions surrounding their defense (among other parts of the roster) and it sounds like Sweeney may answer them from within.

When asked about the team possibly targeting defense through trades and free agency, Sweeney mentioned 2016 trade deadline acquisition John-Michael Liles as a candidate to stay with the Bruins.

"We're in discussions whether it be through acquisition, we've talked to free agent candidates. I've mentioned John-Michael [Liles]," Sweeney said. "I think that we've had very, very productive talks there."

The Bruins sent winger prospect Anthony Camara, a 2016 third-round pick, and a 2017 fifth-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes for Liles at least season's trade deadline. Liles compiled six assists in 17 games while averaging 19:19 of ice time for the Bruins. The 35-year-old veteran would represent a short-term option for the bottom of the defensive depth chart, but Sweeney also stressed the team's need to integrate their younger talent in concert with the veterans on the roster.

"We're looking for balance; we're looking for younger players to have an opportunity to emerge and grab a hold of that," Sweeney said. "Whichever we can improve our team internally or externally, we're going to continue to evaluate and pursue."

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