Analyzing the Tyler Seguin Trade

July 4th was somewhat soured in Boston by the shocking trade of 21-year old Tyler Seguin. You could almost hear the sobs of girls throughout New England. Citing reasons both on and off the ice, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli pulled the trigger on a deal that sent Seguin, Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button to the Dallas Stars  in return for Loui Eriksson and 3 prospects (Matt Fraser, Joe Morrow and Reilly Smith). I'll break down the pieces of this trade, then give some opinions.

What Dallas Gets:
The Stars build for the future adding what could be a potential All-Star and Hall of Famer in Seguin. Peverley and Button were most likely add-ons that Boston made Dallas include. Dallas can move Seguin to his natural position of center on one of it's top two lines. Seguin will provide a spark for the Dallas Stars. They also get a defensive prospect in Button and a versatile forward in Peverley, who can play wing and center. Peverley also gives them some scoring when he's on his game.

What Boston Gets:
Loui Eriksson is the big name here for the Bruins. He is a two-way player that can skate on either the left or right wing, although he prefers the right side. Eriksson puts up solid numbers every year and also plays a good defensive game. Many have compared his style to Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, one of the best two-way players in the league right now. They also get pieces for the future in the 3 prospects they received.

I will admit I was not crazy about the deal at first. I thought, and still think, the Bruins gave up on the 21 year old Seguin too early. At least give him another year to see if he shows any progress. I do, however, like the player they got back in Eriksson. He is essentially the winger version of Bergeron, and those two on a Penalty Kill together will be a nightmare for the opposition. Eriksson is productive, plays defense far better than Seguin, and fits the Bruins system and style of play. Seguin really didn't fit in the Bruins system; he was too much flash for a grind-it-out type of team. Eriksson is a big body (6'2" 193 lbs.) and is 27 years old. He is nearing the end of his prime around the same time players like Zdeno Chara (36) and Dennis Seidenberg (31) are starting to get up there in age. The Bruins want to win now. Adding players like Eriksson and Jarome Iginla will give them a great shot at doing so. We will have to wait and see if these moves pay off.