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The Horton Deal: What they're saying

By Donny Rivette

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No shortage of opinions or coverage concerning Nathan Horton in what's become Florida GM Dale Tallon's epic first salvo on the long road to franchise legitimacy. A few thoughts and comments from points far and near among the the tangled interwebs after the jump...

From around the net:

When Nathan Horton told general manager Dale Tallon he wasn't sure he wanted to play for the Florida Panthers anymore, Tallon didn't hesitate to make sure Horton didn't have to.
- George Richards, Miami Herald


Horton told Tallon maybe it was time for a change.
While there is little surprise that the Panthers traded Horton -- he was a goner from Florida the moment new general manager Tallon took over -- there had been some suggestions that he could be moved to the Senators for (beleaguered Ottawa forward Jason) Spezza.
- Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen
"(Horton's) either been a dominating force, or sometimes he just disappears. If he's a dominating force, he's a really scary player."
- Jack Edwards, via NESN
"...For all of Horton's warts, which have led to complaints that he's intensity-challenged, the right wing has recorded at least 20 goals in five straight seasons and would have been Boston's leading scorer by a comfortable margin last year."
- Joe Haggerty, CSN New England
The price to acquire Horton (...) was somewhat steep. The B’s parted with defenseman Dennis Wideman, a disappointment last season until the stretch drive and playoffs (he led Boston with 12 post-season points), the No. 15 selection overall in this weekend’s draft, plus a third-round choice next year.
- Mike Loftus, The Patriot Ledger
Last year, one Bruin branded Horton as having "no heartbeat.’’ However, the Bruins are hopeful that under (head coach) Claude Julien’s firm hand, Horton will rebound in Boston.
- Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe
Poolies (and fans in general too, for that matter) should be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that every deal is going to suddenly magically result in increased production for the players involved, but logically there are some pretty good reasons to think Horton's career can take an upward path from here.
- Chris Nichols, Sportsnet
Precisely as Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini sat down behind a microphone at Rexall Place Tuesday, beginning his explanation on why Pat Quinn was "accelerated" upstairs after one year as the Oilers head coach, news was breaking that Florida GM Dale Tallon was mowing Tambellini's lawn with Boston.
- Mark Spector, Sportsnet

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.

- James O'Brien, NBC Sports' Pro Hockey Talk

From the Panthers' perspective, this is new GM Dale Tallon starting the reburbishing of this team. Defenseman Dennis Wideman is 27, and his $3.8 million salary cap hit is in the range that Tallon seems to like. More important, the Panthers pick up the 15th pick to go with the No. 3 they already have. The Panthers aren't close to being done. Tallon is an aggressive manager, and he will rapidly change the look of the Panthers.

- Kevin Allen, USA Today

Horton's value has always been in his potential to become a star when rescued from Florida.

- Greg Wyshynski, Yahoo! Sports' Puck Daddy

There have been some questions about Horton's work ethic, but hopefully it was just a case of a guy wanting to get out of a bad situation in Florida and the new zip code will change his mindset.

- SBN's Stanley Cup of Chowder

Horton has shown he’s knowledgeable when it comes to the greats of Bruins history. Now he has to strive to live up to their standards of work ethic, determination and desire, and live up to the expectations that are being placed on him as a savior for an inept offense.

- Matt Kalman, The Bruins Blog

Tallon had promised us change and delivered quickly. He really likes Wideman, but nabbing the 15th overall pick was huge.

- Pierre LeBrun, ESPN

Let's see if the talented Horton responds better to playing in a hockey town than another ex-Panther, Jay Bouwmeester, did in Calgary last year.

- Damien Cox, Toronto Star


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