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Very few teams would ever give up on a potential franchise player three years into his career.
The Boston Bruins did exactly that when they traded Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars, following their loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup finals. Seguin, the second overall pick in 2010, has showed flashes of game-breaking potential so far in his career. Seguin scored 67 points in 2011 as an example of this potential.
However, certain events convinced Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli to change course. Seguin has a reputation for some “extracurricular” activities off the ice that prompted Chiarelli to call him out in public. He had to be more focused and professional.
Clearly, Chiarelli felt that Seguin wouldn’t be able to make those adjustments because he was traded shortly thereafter. The trade makes sense from a hockey perspective for Boston because Seguin was playing as a right wing which is not his natural position.
Seguin’s natural position is center. David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are the two main centers for Boston. Seguin had little hope of taking time from them in that position, so he was played as a right wing.
The Bruins got Louis Eriksson to replace Seguin at right wing.
Eriksson is a former All-Star that fits what Boston does. Boston got their replacement that they needed, Chiarelli obviously believed a trade had to be made immediately in order to make that change.
Chiarelli clearly thought that Seguin was beyond saving at this point in his career and that didn’t fit their needs at this time. Boston is trying to win now and have a team designed to do just that.
Eriksson is also experienced, which Seguin isn’t. Seguin was also not able to play where he is most comfortable and it made his less effective. Hockey reasons make sense, but they are short-term reasons, not long-term.
Boston may have made a huge mistake by being so short-sighted and impatient. Dallas is a team that is trying to build for the future so the trade makes sense for them.
Dallas is a team in need of good young players.
Acquiring Seguin fits several of their needs as it gives them a dynamic, young center to pair with superstar Jamie Benn on the first line. Seguin can transition back to his natural position of center, which will increase his productivity.
Tyler also will become the face of the franchise, which he wasn’t in Boston. That will increase his responsibility and he has to show maturity that is sometimes lacking. With the right guidance and patience, Dallas can come out ahead in this trade.
No matter how immature Seguin still is, you don’t give up on him after just three years. There have been so many players in all sports who had issues throughout the first couple of years of their careers.
Teams that are smart, have the foresight to work with them to work out their issues. Seguin has potential to be a 90 points type of player when he reaches his prime. Seguin is only 21, so I fail to see why you just can’t work with him on his flaws. Any player who has 67 points as a 19-20 year-old is a potential cornerstone
Dallas sees a franchise center and thinks he was worth giving up Loui Eriksson for.
Dallas will be a much needed change of scenery for Seguin, who will not be under as much scrutiny in Dallas as he was in Boston. He will help revitalize hockey in the greater Metroplex—possibly the next Mike Modano—and I’m sure he will feel more comfortable in his new setting.
Even with a fresh start, Boston took a gamble that may eventually bite them if Seguin fulfills his immense potential. That potential may eventually lead Dallas to a Stanley Cup.
That is the type of player Seguin can eventually be.
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