Bruins Draft Pick C Tyler Seguin
The Boston Bruins have been very busy this offseason, and seem to have been successful in plugging some of the holes that plagued them during their historical collapse in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers. After the losses of David Krejci and Marco Sturm during that series, the lack of scoring depth was a glaring problem. So far, although it is still relatively early in the offseason, the Bruins have addressed this problem via the draft, as well as through trade.
When looking to add instant offense, it always helps to have a surefire talent fall into your lap at second overall. With this pick, which was acquired from Toronto for Phil Kessel before last season, the Bruins selected 18-year old center Tyler Seguin from the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Seguin, who is expected to contribute immediately, has been often compared to Detroit Red wings Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman. Seguin tied for the lead in OHL scoring with 1st pick Taylor Hall with 106 points.
Many including myself chastised the Bruins for dealing Kessel last season without getting anything to replace him for that season. It appears that the Bruins will get the better end of the deal, as they also have Toronto’s 1st round pick in 2011 as well, but obviously Kessel is a gifted scorer and Seguin has yet to play an NHL game yet. As of this moment however the Bruins have the upper hand, but time will tell.
The Bruins added another explosive piece in former Florida Panthers LW Nathan Horton. Horton, who was acquired in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman, is a legitimate scoring threat. The third overall pick in the 2003 draft, Horton has averaged 25 goals a season for the past 5 years, and one could argue that he did this with a lack of talent surrounding him. The 25-year old’s work ethic was questioned down in Miami, but now that he has been shipped to a hockey hotbed and is surrounded by talented veterans, Horton is relishing the opportunity to shine.
On the defensive side, the Bruins resigned defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to a 4-year deal. Seidenberg was sorely missed during the Bruins’ playoff run, as he was injured with a lacerated wrist, but was an integral piece late in the regular season n helping the B’s climb their way into the 6-seed. A full season of Seidenberg on the blueline should be an upgrade from Wideman, whose play was erratic at best during his time in Boston.
The Bruins still have some work to do this offseason, namely on the blueline, but is still early. They have an important trade chip in goalie Tim Thomas, who had his job taken from him thanks to an impressive rookie campaign by Tuukka Rask. If the Bruins can acquire a top-4 defenseman for Thomas, and keep Marc Savard on the roster, they will be a legitimate threat to go deep in the playoffs in 2010-11.
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