News Article: Why did Nathan Horton leave the Bruins, really?

[Ladyfan]

so we just get to invent reasons why he left now and call them "rumors" now?

that seems pretty libelous.

We are just having fun.

It's Monday...relax

 

[robert terwilliger]

You sound stressed by all this. Try to relax and just have a good time. Roll with it. It's not serious at all.

ugh.

great counter argument pete passive-aggressive.

 

[ReggieMoto]

ugh.

great counter argument pete passive-aggressive.

Hmmm...it's not an argument. It's simply a statement, dale. Passive-aggressive? Okay, I guess.

 

[Kaoz*]

I think the opinion of him was positive in the end. And trust me, I'm not biased, which might be inferred from my username.

Of course it was, he was one of our most impactful players in the playoffs, but where was the support when he was trying to come back from a missed half season and serious concussion?

The town and the media in the town only "loves" players when they are at the top of their game. If they struggle, the town turns on most players pretty quickly. People think Detroit attracts FA's because of them being consistently competitive, but I'd argue it has more to do with how they treat their players. Remember the last time there was drama with a player there that was escalated by the media and franchise?

 

[Artemis]

ugh.

great counter argument pete passive-aggressive.

It's tongue-in-cheek. Just showing that anyone can create a rumor; they don't even have to make sense!

 

[Neely08]

I don't begrudge him at all. It's his right to go out and make as much money as he possibly can. Just thought it was surprising that he dismissed the Bs outright. What happens if he goes on the open market and can only get Bickell money? Could the Bs match that? Maybe.

A few posts after this one, after looking at someone else's post, I kinda thought that he was going for the money, which is fine, and just didn't want to admit that publicly, and didn't want to leave the Bruins hanging.

Depending on where he ends up, I still think he might regret the decision professionally, but certainly not financially.

Someone will overpay him, I think he already knows that. He knew he'd have to leave $$$ on the table to play here. Would have warmed my heart if he had, but I knew in the end it was very unlikely. It would be one thing if he was really worth the $$$ he's looking for. Add up his floating; playing off of Krejci and Lucic's coattails, the risk of him getting re-injured. Multiply that risk by him tempting fate and dropping the gloves ( i.e. fight w/ Iggy), and the B's did what they had to do. So did he.

I'll always appreciate what he did here, more so in the playoffs. But, nor am I going to forget how often I expected more from him in terms of him generating his own chances, contributing on the forecheck, etc. We have to go another way, and have the potential to improve b/c of it.

 

[BLACKNGOLD4EVER]

i think he should have said ..that ..he was goingto test the free agent market ..and thats it....rather than say I am not going back to the bruins so cross me off the list......best of luck to him

 

[MAINE-IAC]

Any examples of players taking so called hometown discounts at 28 years old?

Except that bean town isn't his home town.

 

[11MilesPerJohan]

Someone will overpay him, I think he already knows that. He knew he'd have to leave $$$ on the table to play here. Would have warmed my heart if he had, but I knew in the end it was very unlikely. It would be one thing if he was really worth the $$$ he's looking for. Add up his floating; playing off of Krejci and Lucic's coattails, the risk of him getting re-injured. Multiply that risk by him tempting fate and dropping the gloves ( i.e. fight w/ Iggy), and the B's did what they had to do. So did he.

I'll always appreciate what he did here, more so in the playoffs. But, nor am I going to forget how often I expected more from him in terms of him generating his own chances, contributing on the forecheck, etc. We have to go another way, and have the potential to improve b/c of it.

I agree...I would have liked to see him back, but I wouldn't want to see an overpayment.

 

[Danton Heineken]

Of course it was, he was one of our most impactful players in the playoffs, but where was the support when he was trying to come back from a missed half season and serious concussion?

The town and the media in the town only "loves" players when they are at the top of their game. If they struggle, the town turns on most players pretty quickly. People think Detroit attracts FA's because of them being consistently competitive, but I'd argue it has more to do with how they treat their players. Remember the last time there was drama with a player there that was escalated by the media and franchise?

Fair point. I just think the casual fan had an overall positive feeling on Horton, until he decided to leave.

Boston is a much bigger and more passionate sports market than Detroit, which influences how the media does its job.

 

[gvkmedia]

Or where he signs...

or which team....

 

[Bread and Circuses]

Well if anything I'd like to see him go to the Devils....the only other team I am genuinely happy to see do well.

 

[Number8]

I have to believe it's one of four things (or a combo):

1) early discussions with Chia indicated there will be more money elsewhere, and with his age and injuries this is last big payday so might as well get the bidding frenzy going early

2). Family wants to be somewhere else

3). He might think in order to be successful in Boston he has to play big and physical, and health wise may not think that's good for him,

4). Media spotlight/criticism is a bit to hot in Boston.

What the hell do I know, though?

 

[badbrewin]

I have to believe it's one of four things (or a combo):

1) early discussions with Chia indicated there will be more money elsewhere, and with his age and injuries this is last big payday so might as well get the bidding frenzy going early

2). Family wants to be somewhere else

3). He might think in order to be successful in Boston he has to play big and physical, and health wise may not think that's good for him,

4). Media spotlight/criticism is a bit to hot in Boston.

What the hell do I know, though?

I don't believe you're that far off. (1) The Bruins are limited with payroll and he doesn't see the need to do anyone any favors...he'll take the payout (2) Could be (3) This is where you likely nailed it - he has now twice seen the required sacrifice to win a championship and it's the only way the Bs expect to get it done - he won't take that leap AND a pay cut (4) The media he can shrug off.

 

[BergyWho37]

We all know players lie .. Go get your payday Horton . Feel sorry for that team you can't do it alone Horton ...

 

[David Krejci*]

That's possible. Maybe he knows he wants more money than the Bs can offer, he doen't want to admit that publicly, and furthermore, he doesn't want to leave the Bs hanging, thinking he might come back. At least this way, they can move on to other things. Felger was wondering why Horton wouldn't leave all options open as a free agent, if he is trying to get more money, but there will probably be plenty of teams bidding for his services, and he knows the Bruins won't be a high bidder. He could actually be doing the Bs a solid, saying, don't waste your time on me guys, I'm gone.

That's a good point and it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

 

[Nevin Markwart]

Good player, but it seems to me his whole was less than the sum of his parts.

 

[DKH]

He's probably been offered 5 at 27ish by Boston and at 28 yrs old recently may able to get 7 years close to 42 or so. He must know sonething- and he appears to be a Florida resident when hockey season ends. Nothing more complicated than that possibly

 

[mikelvl]

Why did he break up with us? Is it something we said? He must like another team better than us. Did he think we wouldn't find out? How long has he felt this way? Lets get a pint of Haagen-Daz (do they still have that?). That will make us feel better.....

 

[bruins repeat time]

I have been spinning my head around on this one for days and I have decided it has to be Julien. First of all let me say I love both Horton and Julien but I support Julien 100 percent so I am not attacking him here. The idea that its money although it could've ended up that way is ridiculous . If they gave some figure and Peter couldn't imagine getting there we would have heard it. It simply makes zero sense to never go over figures and decide its money. As I say this could have ended up being the issue but it never got there. He also loses far more bruin fans this way than leaving because he ends up getting a longer term or more money.
Back to my theory 1- he really never got too much power play time ofcourse there are a couple others that could complain even David Krejci well crushing the playoffs point wise for the second time in three years was often not on the 1st powerplay I don't want to argue who should or shouldn't get more powerplay time but its a possible issue for him. 2- About the best I got is interviews with Nathan --he was never one to say how great Julien was compared to some of the guys and more importantly one time he took minor offense to Julien calling him out. I cant remember the exact time and he didn't make a huge deal of it but you could tell he wasn't happy.
If I am wrong the only other possibility could be he wants to live somewhere else but without inside knowledge that's tough to know but I can pretty well say with 100 percent certainty it never got to the money issue although it could have arrived there. Its easy to say Peter I am going to explore free agency and I will see if you can match the number and or term.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

He's a sellout, the agent is feeding you BS if you believe him.

 

[Nose Face Killah]

He's a sellout, the agent is feeding you BS if you believe him.

How is he a sellout?

 

[BergyWho37]

I have been spinning my head around on this one for days and I have decided it has to be Julien. First of all let me say I love both Horton and Julien but I support Julien 100 percent so I am not attacking him here. The idea that its money although it could've ended up that way is ridiculous . If they gave some figure and Peter couldn't imagine getting there we would have heard it. It simply makes zero sense to never go over figures and decide its money. As I say this could have ended up being the issue but it never got there. He also loses far more bruin fans this way than leaving because he ends up getting a longer term or more money.
Back to my theory 1- he really never got too much power play time ofcourse there are a couple others that could complain even David Krejci well crushing the playoffs point wise for the second time in three years was often not on the 1st powerplay I don't want to argue who should or shouldn't get more powerplay time but its a possible issue for him. 2- About the best I got is interviews with Nathan --he was never one to say how great Julien was compared to some of the guys and more importantly one time he took minor offense to Julien calling him out. I cant remember the exact time and he didn't make a huge deal of it but you could tell he wasn't happy.
If I am wrong the only other possibility could be he wants to live somewhere else but without inside knowledge that's tough to know but I can pretty well say with 100 percent certainty it never got to the money issue although it could have arrived there. Its easy to say Peter I am going to explore free agency and I will see if you can match the number and or term.

Lots of good thoughts here... I would only counter with Horton was the never bumped down like many others have been ... Great in playoffs floats to much during season but blame always goes elsewhere like its Krech not skating and Looch not hitting or scoring.. We will finally see people

 

[SpeedyLazaro]

I know some folks that are close to the Horton camp

Nathan Horton, first and foremost, is a devout father and husband. Secondly he is a hockey player. Nate doesn't have to scrap and claw to break a roster or put up points. He does it naturally with top 3 draft pick pedigree and a healthy love of the game. 2011 was his swan song, he won a cup, and played in 2 SC Finals. This is speculation, but that might be good enough for him. At this point it's living somewhere nice where is family is comfortable and geting the most money he can for his families future.... and that's ok.

Not everyone wants to spend their career in the meat grinder of Boston, ruining there bodies ragged annually in the playoffs, all while getting bashed by the media.

Not everyone is Patrice Bergeron, or Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi, or Greg Campbell.

Some dudes just want to win a cup in their career, get the fattest paycheck, Live in a nice climate, have some extended summers, and ultimately do it while having some fun playing puck.

Nathan Horton, when it's all over, will have lived everyone of those scenarios in his career.. good for him.

 

[Whiskey Sam]

When healthy, he was a clutch playoff performer. The problem was he didn't finish a single season for us healthy enough to contribute (and finished only this season on the ice).