In a move which could be a harbinger of a possible re-signing of forward Phil Kessel the Boston Bruins today shipped veteran defenseman Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth round pick in the 2010 entry draft. 

This move marks a return of Ward, 36, to the Hurricanes. He spent four seasons with the 'Canes from 2001-02 to 2005-06 and was considered a key player in their march to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final and their 2006 Stanley Cup championship. 

Ward is a defensive blueliner whose speciality is shot-blocking, and his salary was worth $2.5 million against the Bruins cap this coming season. With the Bruins sitting at just over $2.1 million in available cap space they needed to free up space to re-sign restricted free agent Kessel. 

Eaves salary is worth $1.4 million so the move ultimately frees up an additional $1.1 million, leaving the Bruins with around $3.2 million in cap space. 

That still might not be enough to re-sign Kessel, which could mean the Bruins aren't done dealing. 

This deal adds more experienced depth to the Hurricanes blueline and might also signal the club's intent to buy out the remaining year and $2.2 million left on Frantisek Kaberle's contract.  Reports out of Raleigh in recent weeks suggested the club could consider that option if they were to add another blueliner. 

As for the 25-year-old Eaves he's on his third NHL team in as many seasons, and has yet to regain the promise he had in his debut with the Ottawa Senators in 2005-06 when he had 20 goals and 29 points in 58 games. Last season in 74 games with the Hurricanes spent on the checking lines he had 6 goals and 14 points.

It's also interesting to note that Eaves is a right winger as is Kessel and could be considered possibly a short-term replacement for the latter, who is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and isn't expected back in the Bruins lineup until November. 

Some might be tempted to consider this as a potential set-up for trading away Kessel but Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has said in recent weeks he plans to re-sign the winger. 

**UPDATE** The Bruins stand to get even more of a salary cap savings as they've placed Eaves on waivers with the intent of buying him out. The Boston Globe reports that because he's under 26 the Bruins can buy him out at one-third his remaining salary ($3.1 million) rather than two-thirds, meaning it'll cost the Bruins less than $259K per season spread over twice the remaining term. 

GM Peter Chiarelli also said by making this move he'll now seek a defenseman but didn't say if that would be via free agency or trade.