The Dallas Stars filled their need for a possible franchise center in Tyler Seguin and the Boston Bruins added a much-needed scorer in Loui Eriksson when they completed a seven-player trade on the eve of the NHL free agent signing period.
"This is a big trade by both teams," said Dallas general manager Jim Nill. "It wasn't an easy trade for either party to make. We both gave up great players and great assets."
The deal sends Seguin, center Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button to Dallas in exchange for left wing Loui Eriksson, right wings Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser and defenseman Joe Morrow.
"We are talking some pretty good players here," Nill said.
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The key for the Bruins is picking up Eriksson to replace scorer Nathan Horton, who is expected to sign elsewhere Friday as an unrestricted free agent, Eriksson had 12 goals and 37 points in 48 games this season, but in the four previous seasons, he averaged 29 goals a season.
"He's a very good player, and he's kind of been hidden down here in Dallas," Nill said.
Boston general manager Chiarelli listed Eriksson's speed and reputation for strong defensive play as a primary motivation for making the deal.
Dallas coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Seguin, who played wing often in Boston, will be used as a center, meaning Jamie Benn can move back to wing.
"We are looking at him as someone who can play with Benn," Ruff said. "It's a position we wanted to fill. It's a natural position for Tyler."
Seguin said he is excited to be moving back to center.
"When I play center, I feel like I can generate more speed coming out of the zone and create more odd-man rushes," he said.
The Peverley addition is also important because he's also a center, and finding multiple centers was a priority of the Stars.
"They are both right-handed shots, which you don't find a lot of," Nill said. "This gives a good mix of centers and one weakness we had in Dallas was we had no depth at center."
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