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Boston Bruins: Looking back at 5 bad trades in hindsight

By Chad Zimmermann

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 11: The statue of Bruins Bobby Orr outside TD Garden is covered in snow after the overnight snowstorm, Feb. 11, 2017. The statue depicts Orr's 1970 Stanley Cup winning overtime goal. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - FEBRUARY 11: The statue of Bruins Bobby Orr outside TD Garden is covered in snow after the overnight snowstorm, Feb. 11, 2017. The statue depicts Orr's 1970 Stanley Cup winning overtime goal. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Boston Bruins
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 15: Sean Kurlay /

July 4, 2013

Bruins receive:  Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith, Joe Morrow, and Matt Fraser
Stars receive:  Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and Ryan Button

You want fireworks on Independence Day?  This was it.  This trade is the one that will forever define Peter Chiarelli’s legacy as General Manager of the Boston Bruins.  Tyler Seguin was an outright star-in-the-making in Boston, after being taken 2nd overall behind Taylor Hall (with a pick stemming from another questionable Chiarelli deal involving Phil Kessel).

Seguin, 21 years old at the time, was about to start the first year of a 6 year, $34.5 million ($5.75 AAV) extension.  Seguin reportedly had been having some off-ice issues, and as a young player who played a bit fast-and-loose, didn’t necessarily fit Claude Julien’s system.  But with that, he was one of the best young players in the league, and was still entering the prime of his career.

Loui Eriksson had been a consistent scoring threat when paired with James Neal and Brad Richards in Dallas from 2009-2012.  And to be honest, when Loui was in Boston and was healthy, he performed well, recording a 30-33–63 point season in 2015-2016.  But just look at what Seguin has done in Dallas since the trade, and you’ll see just how bad this deal has ended up for Boston:

  • 2013-2014:  37 goals, 47 assists
  • 2014-2015:  37 goals, 40 assists
  • 2015-2016:  33 goals, 40 assists
  • 2016-2017:  26 goals, 46 assists

Can you imagine Seguin playing on David Krejci’s wing in Bruce Cassidy’s system?  That would be simply unreal.  Now obviously, Julien was the coach at the time and there was no indication that he would be fired in the future.  But still, it’s a scary thought to think about.

Also, to note, none of the pieces received by the Bruins in this deal are still on the team.  Loui walked in free agency after his 63 point season.  Reilly Smith moved on to Florida and now Vegas, where he’s had success both places.  Joe Morrow now plays for the Montreal Canadiens, and Matt Fraser hasn’t been in the NHL since 2014-2015.

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