The Bruins traded defenseman Derek Morris to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a 4th round pick. And while that sounds like an awful trade (as much as I've criticized Morris, he's a better defenseman than you'll get in the 4th round of any draft), the move cleared up the remainder of the $3.3 million Morris was getting. Morris was to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and the Bruins were carrying 7 defensemen anyway.
Then the Bruins turned around and shipped Byron Bitz, Craig Weller, and a 2nd round pick to Florida in exchange for Dennis Seidenberg and a college defenseman.
Seidenberg has 16 career goals in 357 games. He's a solid blue-line presence, and is a much better defensive defenseman than Morris was. Morris has struggled all year to be consistent on offense, and to be a factor on defense.
And believe it or not, this does help the Bruins' offensive woes. A good defensive tandem that can stop opponents' possessions quickly leads to easy and fast breakaways.
So the Bruins are slightly better today. Which is like saying that Kevin Smith minus 5 pounds is slightly less fat. It's true, but he still can't jam into an airplane seat.
So far, the Bruins have given up a 2nd round pick, a prospect, a solid player with potential to be a bruiser in Byron Bitz, and Derek Morris. They've gotten a prospect back, a 4th round pick, and Dennis Seidenberg.
Meh.
But there is still a little more than $1 million in cap space still open.
Oh, and the Bruins are now the most German team in the NHL.
Source:
CBC
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