Bruins Upgrade Blue Line By Adding Dennis Seidenberg From Florida

After trading Derek Morris to the Phoenix Coyotes for a 2011 fourth-round pick, essentially clearing the $1 million remaining on his one-year deal, the Bruins turned around and made a trade with the Panthers, adding two new defensemen in Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski, a prospect playing for Ohio State.

The Bruins sent back forward Byron Bitz, prospect Craig Weller and a second-round draft pick.

First of all, it is still surprising that Morris was dealt since he had become a solid veteran presence in the dressing room and done his job on the ice, adding a puck-moving element and smart veteran decisions. But the Bruins obviously wanted to shake things up on the blue line, and Seidenberg will do that.

Seidenberg can add a solid transition-type game that will help move the puck out of the Bruins' end and through the neutral zone smoothly. At the same time, the 28-year-old West German brings a physical presence. As a member of the Hurricanes last season, he knocked out Patrice Bergeron with a concussion from an open-ice hit.

Seidenberg also has postseason experience. He played well in the playoffs last year, notching a goal and five assists, and the Bruins got a firsthand taste of Seidenberg in their seven-game second-round loss to Carolina.

The Bruins are still in the hunt for a forward, but they are probably done changing their blue line unless they move some bodies in a bigger deal.