Could ex-Bruin Nathan Horton end up in Columbus as a Blue Jacket?
From a Bruin to a Blue Jacket? Could that be in the cards for Bruins free agent Nathan Horton?
According to a Wednesday report on CBSSports.com, the Blue Jays took advantage of the two-day interview period prior to the start of free agent signings on July 5 by meeting with Horton.
Horton, one of the top free agents in this year's pool, has said he does not plan on returning to the Bruins, but will not give specifics for his decision, other than to say its not entirely related to financial reasons.
Wednesday, he tested those waters with his agent, Paul Krepelka, according to the Columbus Dispatch, touring the Blue Jackets' Nationwide Arena home and meeting with a variety of team officials.
The Blue Jays, who have not made the playoffs for the last four seasons -- although they did come close this season, falling short in the last weekend of the regular season -- are in desperate need of offense to help bolster the support of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Columbus finished the lockout-shortened 2013 season 25th in the NHL in goals (2.40 per game) and 27th in shots on goal per game (26.7).
Horton scored 13 goals in 47 regular season games.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun said on Twitter Wednesday that he thinks Horton will wind up in what he termed "a non-traditional hockey market," one that is quieter and less fast-paced than Boston. Columbus fits that description to a tee.
