Off Season Soap Opera: Tyler Seguin

One of the most debated trades in recent NHL history was between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Right winger and 30 goal scorer, Phil Kessel, was traded to Toronto for a first round pick in 2010, a second round pick in 2010 and a first round pick in 2011.

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, those two first round picks turned out to be a second overall pick in 2010 and a ninth overall pick in 2011. Ouch.

The Bruins would go on to keep both draft picks and add center Tyler Seguin in 2010 and defenseman Dougie Hamilton in 2011. Both players have extremely high ceilings as Hamilton projects to be a top pairing defenseman and Seguin projecting to be a top line center.

The last few seasons saw constant taunting from Bruins fans thanking Kessel (starts at 1:06 in the video) for what his departure brought back to Boston.

That all changed at the NHL Draft...

Around the time of the draft, rumors surfaced that the Boston Bruins were quietly shopping Seguin. 

At the NHL Draft, Bruins GM was quoted saying:

“He’s got to commit his mind and focus to the one task at hand,” Chiarelli said. “He’s got to become more of a professional. You know what? I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds. I know he got criticized for playing on the periphery and all that stuff. He did. He’s got to commit to being a professional and focusing on the game. Simple as that. He does that, we don’t expect him to be crashing and banging. Just play your game.” - Fluto Shinzawa at Boston.com

Shortly after the time of the quote, rumors surfaced that the Boston Bruins were quietly shopping Seguin. While this surprised most, some valid were points made as to why the Bruins were looking into moving the 21 year old player:

• The Bruins currently have Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci as their top-two centers. Seguin is a natural center and could not displace either of the aforementioned players.
• This relegated Seguin to the third line where he was a non-factor in the playoffs (scoring 8 points and only 1 goal in 22 games)
• Seguin signed a contract extension that kicks in this upcoming season. This cap hit would increase from $3.55 million to $5.75 million annually.
• As good as Seguin is and will be, no team will pay a player almost $6 million dollars a year to play on their third line.

When looking at the reasons above, it's easier to understand why the Bruins were exploring all options. Why wouldn't they see what the market value was for a 21 year old (potential) first line center?

I am firm believer that smart hockey moves are made from a point of strength to address a weakness...which is exactly what the Boston Bruins did. Boston traded C Rich Peverley, D prospect Ryan Button and C Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars for LW Loui Eriksson, W Matt Fraser, and prospects Reilley Smith and Joe Morrow.

Eriksson is exactly what the Bruins were looking for. The Swedish winger is an in-his-prime goal scorer who is also known for his maturity, and professionalism. 

Once the trade was made, people began to wonder just how bad did it got with Seguin:

According to sources around the team, Seguin was out late in Toronto during the road trip to play the Leafs in the first round of the playoffs and the team had to hold a sit-down with the immature forward about his commitment to the team. Seguin showed up each day at the Air Canada Centre wearing the same clothes for three straight days and played badly in Games 3 and 4 of the first round against Toronto. - CSN

Obviously, now we have a case of "he said - she said" but I'd be willing to be there is a little truth on both sides. Seguin's parents came to his defense:

“With all respect to David Krejci or Milan Lucic, when the game is over, they go out with their family and hang out in the back of a restaurant. They’re nice and quiet and no one tweets about it. Tyler looks to his friends for comfort and where do his friends go? They go to the local bar.”- Seguin's dad via thestar.com

His dad brought up a great point. The younger Seguin is just doing what most 21 year old guys do.
While the level of partying may not be as bad as reported, Seguin does need to be more professional and be aware of his surroundings off the ice. The Boston Bruins are a very proud organization that likes to maintain their image. Seguin's dad knows it:

“Him having a good time occasionally, and it being in the media, this was something that the Bruins thought should never happen,” Seguin said. “Even if it happened once or twice or three times, the Bruins didn’t like this happening even once.” - thestar.com

What I think will be especially interesting with this story is comparing it to that of Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. An immediate comparison: Patrick Kane vs. Tyler Seguin. Kane went through a similar phase in his career where he was known for being a party animal. It became known that Blackhawks management was not happy with him and trade rumors began to make their way around the internet.

The difference? Chicago remained patient with their young star and were rewarded with another Stanley Cup championship (their second in four years) and a Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) winning post season from Kane.

Both teams were in similar situations: Chicago stayed patient, Boston shipped him out. Both players have very high potentials with Kane being the more successful player (and older player) of the two. Time can only tell what Seguin will accomplish, but one thing is for sure; It won't be with the Boston Bruins.

Thanks for reading!