Litter Box Cats: Trade Is A 'Bittersweet Deal'

While reaction still flows about the Bruins-Panthers trade that was reported today, SB Nation's Litter Box Cats is calling it a "bittersweet deal":

The key to this deal, of course, was the 15th overall pick in Friday's Entry Draft. Florida now has five picks among the first two rounds, including 3rd, 15th, 33rd, 36th, and 50th. In retrospect, prior to the trade deadline the Cats had two. Phenomenal work by Sexton and Tallon.

Kind of a bittersweet deal. Thrilled about the picks, we'll see what Wideman - with two years remaining on his current deal and a cap hit of $3.938M per - will bring in addition to a heavy salary, and the first round of the Draft just got that much more interesting for Florida fans.

As for Horton on the move to Boston, it all came down to not living up to expectations:

The Horton aspect is really rather simple to summarize: we all had high hopes. As his production grew, so did the expectations. The Jokinen trade dovetailed into a lost season at center. Injuries prevented what could have been a stirring rise from the B-list in 2009-10. always another convenient reason why he didn't become the power forward he was projected to be. Tallon saw the writing clearly spotlighted on the wall, and did what was best for both parties. And deserved by the fans.

Bruins Blog: Horton Trade 'Makes Bruins Better Team Right Now'

Trading for Nathan Horton was likely just the beginning for many offseason changes for the Bruins, and it's one move that makes Boston a better team right now, says our Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder -- even with Horton's questionable work ethic.

There probably will be some pretty good players left at #15, but most would be a few years away from making an impact at the NHL level. The Bruins desperately needed scoring and Horton can give you a boost in that department. He might not pump in 40 goals a year, but you are pretty much guaranteed that he will score somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 goals. He is also still only 25 years old and has time develop as a player.

From a salary cap standpoint, the deal is a wash. The Bruins moved Dennis Wideman's $4 million contract ($3.85 million cap hit) and the Panthers moved Horton $4 million contract.

Report: Bruins Trade Wideman, No. 15 Pick In Exchange For Nathan Horton, Gregory Campbell

The Boston Bruins' offseason is officially under way.

On Tuesday, the Bruins traded for forward Nathan Horton and center Gregory Campbell. In exchange, the Panthers receive defenseman Dennis Wideman, the 15th overall pick in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft, as well as Boston's third-round pick in the 2011 draft, this according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, who is reporting the deal is done.

Horton was the third overall pick of Florida in 2003, and has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past five seasons, including a career-best of 31 in the 2006-07 campaign. This past year was his lowest offensive output thus far (not including his rookie season), as he recorded just 20 goals in 65 games.

Horton, who is 6-2, 229, is a skilled shooter for a man of his size, and plays with intensity and emotion.

Florida now holds the No. 3, No. 15, No. 33, No. 36 and No. 50 picks in this weekend's draft.

Expect plenty more reaction and analysis at our Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder.