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Analysis: Florida sends Horton, Campbell to Boston for Wideman, 15th pick, 2011 3rd rounder

Tim Thomas, Dennis Wideman, Nathan Horton

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, right, dives on the puck as defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) keeps Florida Panthers right wing Nathan Horton away from the puck during the first period of ab NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP

A moment ago, I shared reports that the Florida Panthers traded Nathan Horton to the Boston Bruins. Here are the details, via Steve Gorten of the Florida Sun-Sentinel. (Salary cap information from the always-reliable CapGeek.com.)

Bruins receive:

Nathan Horton, forward. ($4 million cap hit)

Greg Campbell, forward ($762,500)

Panthers receive:

Dennis Wideman, defenseman. (about $3.94 million cap hit)

No. 15 pick in 2010 draft

Third round pick in 2011

My analysis: Advantage - Bruins

From Boston’s perspective, this has to be a big win. They rid themselves of a questionable contract in Dennis Wideman in exchange for a disappointing, but promising forward in Nathan Horton. He will provide the Bruins with a much-needed spark on the right wing, plus his physical play should be a big hit in Beantown. He’s also two years younger than Wideman.

Campbell isn’t a huge difference maker, but he was one of the NHL’s most frequent hitters. With Horton, Campbell and Milan Lucic, the Bruins are as “big and bad” as they’ve been in years.

While the idea of a Panthers blueline featuring Bryan McCabe and Wideman sounds like a comedy of errors, the deal isn’t a total hose-down for Florida.

With Boston’s 15th pick, Copper & Blue astutely points out the treasure trove of picks the Panthers own in his year’s draft; new GM Dale Tallon now has the No. 3, 15, 33, 36 and 50 picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In other words, Tallon has two top 20 picks and five picks in the top 50. Considering how Tallon helped build the Chicago Blackhawks thanks to wise draft picks, fans in Sunrise finally have a ... *cough* sunny side to look on, for once.

It’s nice to see a trade in which both teams benefit. The Bruins improve their short-term outlook and yet will still have a bright future since they have the No. 2 pick in the draft (thanks, Mr. Burke!) while the Panthers cut ties with a promising but frustrating player while positioning themselves to overhaul a roster that couldn’t quite make it to the playoffs.

Who do you think “won” the trade, Boston or Florida? Please vote in the poll below.

Who won the Nathan Horton/Greg Campbell for Wideman, 15th pick and third rounder in 2011 trade?
Boston Bruins
Florida Panthers
Results

The next few days could be jam-packed with crazy trade news, so stick with us. We’ll be your guiding light in a scary tunnel of wacky transactions.