The New Guys

So there have been many trades during the off-season this year. The Bruins traded some big names like Tyler Seguin, Nathan Horton, Rich Peverley, Andrew Ference, and backup goalie Anton Khudobin, but picked up some new guys like Loui Eriksson, Jarome Iginla, and Chad Johnson. Here is the low down on the fresh faces of the Boston Bruins.

Loui Eriksson was acquired from the Dallas Stars during the Seguin trade. 28-year-old Eriksson had 12 goals and 17 assists in 48 games last season for the Stars. The Sweden born player was drafted 33rd overall to the Dallas Stars in 2003 and played in the 2011 NHL All Star game. He played for the Swedish Hockey League and the American Hockey League before making his NHL debut, October 4, 2006, against the Colorado Avalanche. He was a force to be reckoned with on the Star's offense. Coming to Boston there will be a lot expected from him. Pressures on Eriksson, don't let Boston down.

36-year-old Jarome Iginla from Edmonton, Canada was on the Calgary Flames for 16 seasons. After playing most of his career with the same team and no real shot at winning the hockey holy grail on the horizon he decided to take a look at other teams. Last season the media was reporting that a deal between Iginla and Boston was imminent. At the last moment Iginla signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, believing he would have a better chance to win the Stanley Cup with the leagues all-star team. Boston fans were disappointed to say the least, but got their revenge when the Bruins swept the Penguins in third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After seeing how the Bruins played in the playoffs now Iginla wants to come to Boston? I don't like being anyone's second choice. I had so much respect for him before the whole Pittsburgh deal. Iginla was an exemplary player; he was a scorer who wasn't afraid to drop the mitts for his team and a gracious leader on and off the ice. He was an all around class act. Then he went to the Penguins and his talent was canceled out by Queen Crosby and his minions. Iginla can be a great player and I think Boston is a good fit for him, I just wish we were his first choice. C'est la vie, what's done is done and he is a Bruin now, but in my eyes he still has to earn his glory back. 

Chad Johnson, (and no not the Ochocinco guy), has only played three years in the NHL. Two years for the NY Rangers and one year for the Phoenix Coyotes. Having only played ten games in the NHL, Johnson still has to find his big boy pads. In ten games he has a save percentage of .929. The Calgary native was drafted 125th overall in the 2006. The 27 year old made his NHL debut December 30, 2009, against the Philadelphia Flyers when Lundquist was pulled after the first period. He had 17 saves on 20 shots. In his first career start he lost 2-1 in overtime to the Atlanta Thrashers. Maybe he just needs more game time to boost his confidence or Thomas and Rask have just spoiled me. Johnson is going to have to majorly step up his game if he wants to be backup for Tuukka Rask.