BOSTON, MA ------- Pacing around the office, the phone rings. Boston Bruins GM Dan Lifshatz answers the phone. "I really don't know Ryan.  I'll get back to you."

      Lifshatz is torn on the direction he should take his team this season.  After an 0-4 start, the B's have ripped off 8 wins a row since some line changes.  The team's defense remains rock solid with a 1.92 GAA, and the offense that should be scoring at a torrid pace is finally coming around, but the thought lingers, can this team win it all?

      The Bruins have reportedly been fielding calls about some of their UFA's to be, while putting out feelers on some upgrades around the league as well.  The problem this year, theres no clear cut direction for the team to go.  Its too early to put this team all in.  Only 8-4, and those 8 wins coming against a pretty soft schedule, but at the same time, its hard not to be excited about where the team is headed.

       Last year, you knew what this team was. A bottom feeder, which many were okay with.  Tank for the talent they called it.  After coming away with D Charlie McAvoy and F Matthew Tkachuck last year, the team then went out and traded Alexsander Barkov and Rickard Rakell, both players known as top line talent around the league.  Along with the FA signinsg of Ryan Getzlaf, Brad Richardson, Alexander Edler, Mike Green, and Francois Beauchemin amongst others, the B's are a completely different team than they were last year and have a chance to do some damage in this years East playoffs.

       However, there is a prevailing thought inside some of the Bruins front office members that they're maybe one year off from really competing.  While this years team is what many would consider to be a solid playoff team, its hard not to build out for one more year, knowing Charlie McAvoy, Vladimir Sobotka, and likely Kyle Connor are 1 year from arrival.

       A source with knowledge of the situatiun called it a "stressful dilemma" for Lifshatz.  There's been reported interest from teams in guys like Getzlaf and Brad Richardson, but holding out and waiting for the Bruins to get through their hard part of their schedule will likely determine the teams ultimate direction this season.

      "I doubt you see do anything major right now. We've had talks with teams about adding some players, but nothing serious yet," the same source said.  The more serious talks have revolved around the Bruins selling for one more year, although that has also been put on hold until the B's get few the next 5-10 games of their schedule, according to the source.

       Meanwhile, the Bruins face a tough test tonight in New York vs Larry Linke's Rangers, and may be a telling sign of just how good this Bruins team can be.

       "We have guys who can fill in. Zacha and Konecny have yet to even see the ice.  We can fill holes if we deicde to go that route, but don't count us out of making 1-2 big moves this year and pushing the chips in the middle of the table," the source continued.

       While the Bruins debate their course of action, DMan Francois Beauchemin was sent to the IR for the next 2 weeks, hoping to come back before the Bruins real tough stretch in a couple of weeks.  "We hope to have him back in time for that Devils game.  We'll need him vs those guys," Lifshatz said after the Bruins 4-0 win vs the Minnesota Wild Monday night.

       No matter what decision Lifshatz makes, expect more activity for one of the most active teams in the league, year in and year out.