BOSTON, March 11 (UPI) -- The Boston Bruins shored up a suspect defense at Tuesday's NHL trade deadline, acquiring Dan McGillis from the San Jose Sharks and Ian Moran from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Bruins sent a 2003 second-round draft pick to San Jose for McGillis, who started the season with the Philadelphia Flyers but was traded to the Sharks on Dec. 6.
McGillis, 30, has three goals and 16 assists in 61 games and became the second defenseman in four days traded by San Jose, which shipped Bryan Marchment to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday for a pair of 2003 draft picks.
Boston surrendered a 2004 fourth-round pick to get Moran, a native of Acton, Mass., who spent two years at Boston College. The 30-year-old was one of only three Penguins who played all 70 games this season and has seven assists and 46 penalty minutes.
"Ian is a veteran defenseman who is very good in his own end," Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said. "He is a good penalty-killer, he's got a good shot and we feel he will help stabilize our defense."
Boston has surrendered 203 goals, the most of any team that currently holds down a playoff spot. The Bruins are in seventh place in the NHL Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the New York Islanders and six in front of the New York Rangers.
