The big blockbuster today was that the Bruins traded away Defenseman Denis Wideman, their first round (15th overall) pick in this weekend's draft, and their 2011 third round pick to the Florida Panthers for star winger Nathan Horton and center Greg Campbell.
--> Reading around, the take on this trade is mixed. Some say that Chiarelli took Tallon to the bank. Others say it was a decent trade. I'm not sure. It really comes down to, imo, Campbell vs. the 15th overall pick (or you could argue that the pick was direct compensation for Horton and Wideman lines up with Campbell). Greg Campbell is an unknown to me, other than his stats show he's not much of an offensive center. If he's solid defensively, I think that will be good for the Bruins. What do you think, Goon?
Goon's Take: With Deni Wideman being traded to the Florida Panthers, the Bruins get rid of an offensive puck moving defenseman that was seen by some to be a defensive liability, to me personally Wideman was a brutal reminder of the bad Denis Wideman for Brad Boyes trade. By trading the 15th over all pick away the Bruins will not have their second first round draft choice that they were hording all of last season.
Nathan Horton has played in five NHL season and has never scored less than 20 goals. The Bruins need offense up front and Horton will probably play on one of the top three lines. Gregory Campbell is a bit of an unknown and from what I have read is more of the rugged type forward that will drop the gloves if he needs to. Campbell's last fight was against Av's hack/goon Cody McLeod.
The other trades weren't as noteworthy.
Minnesota acquired Brad Staubitz from San Jose for their 5th round pick in this weekend's draft.
--> I actually think this is a good move. Fletcher and crew need to rebuild fast. Late rounders could take longer to develop (and may not develop at all) than those taken in the first three rounds. Staubitz isn't a glamorous player. However, he is a pretty gritty defenseman and had over 100 PIM last season.
New Jersey reacquires Jason Arnott from Nashville for Matt Halischuk and their 2011 2nd round pick.
--> I have misgivings about this trade. I think if this trade was Arnott for Halischuk straight up, it would be a good deal for both sides. If the pick had been a lower pick, such as a 4th or even a 3rd rounder, I think it would have been ok. I think Halischuk and a 2nd round pick is too much for an aging Arnott, despite the fact that he did pretty well last year and he has shown great leadership on and off the ice.
Philadelphia and Nashville exchange young D -Ryan Parent for the rights to Dan Hamhuis
--> I think this is probably the most even trade out there. Good for both sides.
Former Michigan standout TJ Hensick is now a St. Louis Blues. Colorado gets AHLer Julian Talbot
--> TJ Hensick hasn't done much in limited time in the NHL. He came on fast and then swooned like nobody's business. He did come off his best year as an AHLer though. Who knows which direction Hensick will go. Colorado gets an unknown. The best part? Over the past 3 seasons, Talbot's AHL numbers have been steadily decreasing. So, who cares. Colorado is declared the loser in this trade and that's ok by me. They re-signed Peter Budaj so karma's a biznitch.
Already talked about the Halak trade.
In other news: San Jose has decided NOT to even attempt to re-sign goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. I think he'll probably end up in either Montreal or Washington.
Also, Future Hall of Famers Rob Blake and Scott Niedermeyer retired.
