Nathan Horton Heading to Boston Bruins

TSN is reporting that the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins have put together a deal that will send Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Dennis Wideman and the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Horton fractured his leg last season, causing him to miss 17 games. That said, he did manage to post 20 goals and 57 points in 65 games played with the Panthers, and by all accounts, looks to have healed from his injury.

Horton has posted five straight 20 goal season’s, with his best total coming in 2006-07 when he scored 31 goals.

Horton will help the Bruins offensively, both on the power play and five-on-five, while also bringing a bit of grit, and a tremendous compete level.

The Bruins are known for their depth at centre, and with the B’s set to take Tyler Seguin (a natural centre) in this years draft, they needed an upgrade on the wing.

The 26-year-old Campbell has played 363 NHL games, scoring 29 goals, adding 56 assists, for a total of 85 career points. Clearly, while a useful bit player, Campbell is a throw-in.

In Wideman the Panthers get a genuine top three defenseman who can score goals, anchor the power play, and brings valuable playoff experience to a team that has not seen the playoffs in a long time.

With the 15th pick, the Florida Panthers may get a chance at landing the likes of left winger Mikael Granlund, Right winger Austin Watson, defenseman Dylan McIlrath, right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, centre Emerson Etem, or goaltender Calvin Picard or Jack Campbell—all of whom are expected to within ear shot of the 15th pick (according to TSN's Bob McKenzie’s top 30 list).

This deal should end all the talk of the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins putting together a package that would see the Oilers and Bruins swap pick’s, as it was widely felt that any deal of this magnitude would almost certainly have to include the Bruins 15th overall pick.

Good trade for both teams, but I think Horton will thrive in Boston, emerging as an elite player as early as this season.

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Until next time,

Peace!