Imagine what Horton will achieve in the goal-scoring department when he’s not leaving the rink after practice and entering 85-degree clear, sunny weather and surfing or fishing for the rest of the afternoon. Horton’s rumored poor work ethic has cost him in the past, but can you blame the guy? If the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway were outside my door every time I left the office, I’d have a hard time focusing on extra work also.
But hey, I’m not a professional athlete who is three years into a six-year, $24 million contract like Horton is.
Get this winger to the frozen tundra of New England, on an Original Six team that has proven to be a contender the past three seasons. See how he plays in a city where sports are religion and the fans sell out the venue every single night. He's now on a historic franchise where all four lines contribute on a nightly basis. The sky's the limit.
"I'm excited to go to a new start and a stable and historic and successful franchise," Horton said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "This is what every kid dreams about: To be on an Original Six team and play for the Boston Bruins. I think if you're a young kid and you're coming in, it's a dream come true."
Nathan Horton, welcome to Boston!
Now all the Bruins need to do is link this kid up with some leadership and a veteran presence to support the type of player that Claude Julien expects him to be, and it's all systems a go.
In a conference call from Los Angeles, where Bruins management is prepping for this weekend’s NHL draft, general manager Peter Chiarelli was questioned about Horton’s character by a local reporter.
“There seems to be a threat saying he’s a neutral character guy — what I know and what our research shows is he’s a good person," Chiarelli responded. "He competes, he’s a big body kid, can skate and shoot. He’s only 25 and he’s what we’re looking for.”
It helps that Horton himself is on board with the deal. He's looking forward to sporting the Black and Gold, and is excited to be given the opportunity to do so.
“I’ll be working pretty hard this summer," he explained. "I want to come in in the best shape. I’m just excited for a change. It’s going to be great. I think it’s going to work out good.”
Chiarelli likes what he sees in Horton, and is hoping that his past will translate well in Boston.
“Nathan is big, powerful, young man,’’ the GM said. “He is 25-years-old, has scored over 30 goals once, and over 20 goals in five consecutive seasons. He is a shooter who plays a power game.’’
Horton has yet to make the Stanley Cup playoffs in his entire seven-year career, and is salivating at the thought to play for a team who knows how to win and advance to the postseason. The Bruins are hoping that he provides the offensive spark that was missing last season, so that Lord Stanley may once again be hoisted in Boston.
A veteran personality in the Bruins locker room can take Horton under their wing and turn him into the player that Bruins fans will grow to love. Perhaps Horton’s breakout season in the NHL will happen right here in Boston.
That is the hope, and the Bruins are working hard to make sure that it happens.
