BOSTON – The Boston Bruins, battling for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, traded Patrick Traverse to the Montreal Canadiens for Eric Weinrich Wednesday, swapping a young defenseman for one with more experience.

Gardiner native Weinrich, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, was on the trade market after turning down the Canadiens’ three-year, $7.5-million contract offer.

Weinrich is a former University of Maine All-Hockey East, All-New England and All-American selection. He registered 16 goals and 54 assists in 85 games at Maine including four goals and seven assists in eight games after returning from the Olympic Games in Calgary in 1988. He has also been mentioned as a candidate for the U.S. Olympic team next February in Salt Lake City by The Hockey News magazine and The Boston Globe.

“He’ll help stabilize our defense,” Bruins assistant general manager Jeff Gorton said. “He plays 25 minutes per game, and there’s not many of them out there.”

Gorton said the Bruins acquired a veteran who will step into one of their top defense pairs while giving up one who “couldn’t crack our top four.”

Weinrich grew up a Bruins fan.

“Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque were my favorite players,” he said. “It’ll be a special feeling to put that jersey on, just like it was here.”

Weinrich, 34, was taken by New Jersey in the 1985 draft. He has 58 goals, 244 assists and 651 penalty minutes in his 13-year NHL career.

This season, he is Montreal’s second highest scoring defenseman, with six goals – one short of his career high – and 19 assists.

Traverse, 26, has three goals and six assists this season.

Canadiens general manager Andre Savard called Traverse “a reliable defenseman with good NHL experience.”

“I had to opportunity to work with him in Ottawa and was very impressed with his attitude and willingness to improve,” Savard said.

Gorton said the Bruins will try to sign Weinrich.

Weinrich, who wants to test the free agent market for the first time in his career this summer, said he will listen to any offers.

“I’m definitely excited to play in Boston,” Weinrich said. “When the season’s over, I’ll take a rest and then make a decision.

“If they offer a contract, of course I’ll listen to it. But I don’t think, at this point, I’m ready to make that decision.”

Weinrich did not rule out a return to the Canadiens.

“I’m not closing the door on Montreal or any team,” he said. “I just wanted the ability to make that decision.”

Weinrich is expected to play his first game with Boston in Dallas on Friday night.