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Iginla and Eriksson hope to pick up where Horton and Seguin left off

Loui Eriksson

Dallas Stars left wing Loui Eriksson during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Thursday, April 25, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen

AP

When you come as close to winning a Stanley Cup as the Bruins did this past season and overhaul the roster, it’s going to lead to questions how the new players will fit in. When those new guys are veterans like Loui Eriksson and Jarome Iginla, it feels like a major upgrade.

That’s what the Bruins are contending with this season.

Bringing in a pair of guys who have piled up goals through their career to replace Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin seems like a move that would play out seamlessly but it comes with some potential pitfalls. A couple questions have to be asked.

What does Iginla have left?

Before last season’s lockout-shortened year, Iginla rattled off 11 straight seasons of 30+ goals. Now as he heads into his 17th NHL season and at 36 years-old it’s appropriate to ask if he can produce at that level again.

Iginla wants to stay in Boston past this season and scoring goals at the pace he did last year (28 goals over 82 games possible) would help that. Consider this if you think that’s not enough: Horton’s best season in Boston (2010-11) he had 26 goals.

Did they give up on Seguin too soon?

That might not even be the right question. The Bruins’ concern with him centered more on him not having grown up yet, but when you look at the raw numbers, the answer is probably yes.

Seguin saw his numbers improve each season and he was on pace to break 30 goals last season if not for that darn lockout. After scoring 29 two seasons ago, it’s not a stretch to think his stock is only climbing. Eriksson, by comparison, has been steady for 60-70 points in his last four full seasons.

Giving up a possible superstar for consistently great output only means fans will debate their trade for the next 10 years.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT