| Nick Obergan. 24th June, 2010 - 4:30 am
 Continuing a busy start to the offseason, the Boston Bruins made a splash by acquiring forwards Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell from the Florida Panthers for defenseman Dennis Wideman and two draft picks, including the 15th pick in this year?s draft.
I read numerous comments from various message boards about this deal, and I disagree with a lot of them. Many seemed to believe that Horton was the missing piece from Boston?s struggling offense and that they took the Panthers behind the woodshed on this deal.
Yes, it?s true that Horton has scored 20 goals in five straight seasons, but quite frankly a lot of guys score 20. Put another stat in perspective: Horton?s career high in points is 62 (twice, in all 82 games), only five more points than Matt Stajan had this year. If Boston acquired Stajan, would that be considered a huge difference maker for the Bruins? Doubtful.
Some players who had more goals than Horton last season: Eric Fehr, Johan Hecht, Niclas Bergfors, rookie Brandon Sutter, Steve Ott, Troy Brouwer, Steve Downie, Radim Vrbata, Alexander Steen. Yes, Horton didn?t play a full season, but still...
I get that Horton is still young and could still improve some. Perhaps with better players around him, he will even thrive. But might I remind you that the same was being said of former Panthers Olli Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester. Just some food for thought.
The Bruins also received third/fourth line winger Gregory Campbell, who can add some depth and grit. Essentially, Florida traded their 2011 3rd round pick for Campbell, which means that Horton was deal for the 15th overall pick and Wideman. I thought the 15th pick itself was a stretch, let alone giving up a minute-eating defenseman who is a year removed from 13 goals. Yes, he took a step back last year but he is only 27 and just entering his prime as well.
This opens the door for Florida to move Keith Ballard and his contract, and/or Brian McCabe and his expiring deal, while not losing out on defense. GM Dave Tallon, who of course put together the Blackhawks, obtains a great draft pick to help build his new team through the draft.
Boston is taking a huge gamble in trading away that pick in such a deep draft. A forward taken at 15 could very well turn out to be better than Horton ? a former 3rd overall pick ? on its own. For what it?s worth, the contracts involved are pretty much a wash.
If Horton breaks the current streak of Panthers slumping once they leave town, and excels in Boston and commits himself to becoming a better and more consistent player, then my grading won?t look so great. But at this point in time, I am just not sold on it.
Grade for Boston: B-
Grade for Florida: A+
Nick can be reached by email nickobergan@hotmail.com or on twitter @NickObergan |
