The Bruins have traded Byron Bitz, Craig Weller, and a 2nd rounder (2010 pick from Tampa Bay according TSN's Bob McKenzie) to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski.
Bruins Get:
Panthers Get:
2010 2nd Round Pick (from Tampa Bay from the Mark Recchi trade)
I think Dennis Seidenberg is an upgrade over Derek Morris, especially when you consider that Seidenberg makes $2.25 million compared to Morris' $3.3 million. He currently leads the NHL with 179 blocked shots. That's a lot of rubber and black and blues. Seidenberg is a guy that can move the puck, but isn't really an offensive threat. He isn't a very physical player, but he plays a sound defensive game.
I honestly don't know much about Bartkowski. According to Hockey's Future, the 6'1" 203 lb defenseman has a good shot from the point and can hit hard. He is currently a sophomore at Ohio State, where he has 4-12-16 totals in 34 games to go along with 87 PIMs.
I liked the energy that Byron Bitz brought (especially last season), but he was a non-factor for the Bruins for most of this season.
Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli on this morning's moves: