By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

The Bruins have acquired Boris Valabik and Rich Peverley from Atlanta. Headed south are Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart.

This is the cap-clearing precursor to acquiring Tomas Kaberle. The Bruins will be cap compliant once Kaberle is in the fold. The Kaberle trade is expected to become official shortly.

In 59 games, Peverley has 14 goals and 20 assists. Peverley is averaging 19:13 of ice time per game, second-most behind Andrew Ladd among all Atlanta forwards. Peverley is a 28-year-old right-shot forward who plays in all situations. Peverley could slot into Wheeler's spot on the No. 3 line. Peverley carries a $1.325 million annual cap hit, according to www.capgeek.com. Peverley's contract will expire after 2011-12.

Valabik has spent the season in Chicago, Atlanta's AHL affiliate. Valabik is best remembered for taking several shots at Phil Kessel two years ago, which brought fellow Slovakian Zdeno Chara calling.

Wheeler is a restricted free agent after this season. In 58 games, Wheeler had scored 11 goals and 16 assists while shuttling between left wing and center on the third line.

Stuart is an unrestricted free agent at year's end. In 31 games, Stuart had scored one goal and four assists. Stuart had been a healthy scratch in nine of the last 11 games.

In Atlanta, Wheeler and Stuart will be reunited with former coach Craig Ramsay.