The Trade

Well, the Tyler Seguin era in Boston is done and whether it is due to his hard partying ways (see above photo) or his playoff performance (or lack there of) I like this trade. Will Tyler Seguin go on to score 40 goals in the Western Conference for a team with little to no media scrutiny? More than likely, yes; however, that does not mean he would have put up those numbers under the intense microscope that is Boston and in the more physical Eastern Conference. His playoff sample size is more than enough to warrant judgement now. He has scored 6 playoff goals in 42 games which is half a seasons worth of games. And let’s not forget 3 of those goals came during a 2 game span in the Eastern Conference Finals his rookie season. Bottom line, he was not going to live up to his contract, or expectations here in Boston, but he may for the Dallas Stars. Don’t focus on the numbers in this trade. Focus on Seguin’s lack of play during the postseason and his immaturity issues off the ice as the reasons for the move.

The centerpiece of the trade coming back to the Bruins is Loui Eriksson. This is a guy who will fit in perfectly with the Bruins system. He is a big body who will win battles in the corners and get in front of the net, something Seguin has shown he was unwilling to do. He is also a terrific defensive forward who had a leadership role in Dallas. He will look great on the Bergeron line, which could be one of the best shut down lines in hockey.

Free Agency

It should not be overlooked that the Tyler Seguin trade opened up valuable cap space for the Bruins to go out and make a splash for a right winger. While many names were floated around, Michael Ryder and Daniel Alfredsson in particular, most of Day 1 was uneventful and dissapointing. Finally, after making Bruins fans wait most of the day on the first day of free agency, the Boston Bruins made their move and signed Jerome Iginla to a 1 year 6 million dollar contract. Money that was freed up from the Tyler Seguin trade (and possibly dipping into the Marc Savard money) made it happen. It looks like Iginla came around to the idea that David Krejci is a much better player than he once thought when he went elsewhere for the postseason. Welcome to the Bruins Jerome, we will try and forget this ever happened.

The Bruins top 2 lines are pretty solid and I like them a lot. Lucic-Krejci-Iginla and Marchand-Bergeron-Eriksson, that is a top couple of lines that perfectly fit the system the Bruins have installed that has lead them to a Stanley Cup Championship and 4 periods from another. Good times are ahead, we will figure out that whole 3rd line thing later. Welcome Jerome, and let’s go B’s!