This time last year the Boston Bruins traded first round pick Mark Stuart and free agent refugee from the Phoenix Coyotes Blake Wheeler (@BiggieFunke) to the then Atlanta Thrashers and now Winnipeg Jets for Boris Valabik and Rich Peverley. What I thought of the trade at the time is pretty well known. But its a year later, the Boston Bruins have hoisted the Cup, Rich Peverley played a key role in that and has since been rewarded with a new contract.
Let’s take a look at the players one at a time:
Mark Stuart:
- Had a multiseason ironman streak as a member of the Boston Bruins.
- leads the Jets in shorthanded time
- has well over 100 each hits and blocked shots (154,141) both higher than any Bruins player
- got his first career shorthanded goal this season
Blake Wheeler:
- his 96 hits are more than any Bruins forward except Lucic
- leads his team in scoring
- only Bergeron has more points among the Bruins
- with 12 has more powerplay points than any Bruins player except Chara
Rich Peverley (currently injured):
- 9 goals 29 assists 38 points in 49 games
- gets almost 4 minutes of special teams time a night
- 4th among Bruins forwards in time on ice per game
- 8th in scoring on the Bruins
Boris Valabik:
- Has not played in NHL since trade.
On paper, and in the stat sheets it is hard to argue the now-Jets won this trade. Both teams got what they wanted from the trade, but if you need to declare one a winner it’s not really that close. Apparently I’m not alone in thinking that.
