Bob Beers On Sports Final: Eriksson 'Does Everything Right'
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Bruins surprised many on the Fourth of July, trading 21-year-old forward Tyler Seguin to Dallas.
Seguin had a rough postseason, scoring just one goal and totaling eight points in 22 games. The deal cleared up some cap space for Boston, as they sent Rich Peverley to the Stars along with prospect Ryan Button, and reports are surfacing that the Bruins were tired of Seguin's off-ice lifestyle.
But did Boston give up too soon on the 21-year-old who was once viewed as the future of the organization? 98.5 The Sports Hub's Bob Beers was a guest on Sunday night's Sports Final on WBZ-TV, and said time will tell if the move was the right one.
"I know we heard rumors about him, and more things are coming to light right now, but it's very interesting that he's 21-years-old and they're moving on without him. That's very telling as far as the Bruins... It may not be (the right decision), because there is a great unknown where Tyler Seguin's ceiling may be," said Beers. "The skill level is there, there are some questions about his hockey IQ, and there are definitely questions around his commitment to the game.
Read: Chiarelli Says Trading Seguin 'Nothing About Extracurricular Activies
"I would have had a hard time trading him at 21, but at the same time they have their reasons," said Beers.
In return, Boston received a trio of prospects and Loui Eriksson, a forward that Beers says "does everything right" and should fit in very well in the Bruins' system.
"You're trading a possible super star in the making for a known commodity and a very stable guy in Eriksson -- a consistent goal-scorer, but not only that, he does everything right," Beers said of the new B's forward. "He gives you that stability, and they will play him in all sorts of situations; you can play him with (David) Krejci, with (Patrice) Bergeron, on the right wing. Where he fits in remains to be seen, but you know what you are going to get from him; you are going to get a professional that plays in all kinds of situations, and a guy that is going to be a consistent type of player and focus on the game."
Read: All You Need To Know About Loui Eriksson
The Bruins also added forward Jarome Iginla over the weekend, signing the veteran to a one-year deal. Iginla said "no thanks" to the Bruins at the trade deadline last year, opting to go to the Pittsburgh Penguins instead. Beers thinks it could be a little awkward in the Bruins locker room early on, but as long as Iginla produces there shouldn't be any bad blood towards the forward.
Kalman: If Iginla In Decline, Cap-Friendly Deal No Bargain
"As long as he comes in with the right attitude, with some humble pie... once he walks in, he's a pro. He's afforded himself with a great career a little leeway here," said Beers. "Bottom line what is he going to do to help the Bruins win right now. I feel he still has a lot left in the tank to do that."
Tune in to Sports Final and Sports Final OT every Sunday night on WBZ-TV at 11:35 p.m.!
