from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,
Yet, this being Day 1, there is inherent risk. Horton has suffered two severe concussions, both from hits delivered by former Jackets. Aaron Rome knocked Horton out of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011. The following January, Tom Sestito hit Horton and Horton missed the rest of the season. This past spring, Horton suffered a separated shoulder in Game 1 of the Cup Finals and played out the remainder of the series. The shoulder will require surgery this summer.
So, one must take into account his health. And one must ask what motivates a man to leave a team that has been to two Stanley Cup Finals in three years, and won one. How does he perceive expectations in other markets?
Horton could be perfect here. He is 28 years old and fits the age group of a young and promising team. He satisfies a glaring need. He is looking for a quieter NHL life, and Columbus, one of America’s most-overlooked great cities, is optimal. It is a terrific place to play hockey and raise a family. If he signs here, it will be yet another indication that the JD-Jarmo Jackets are on the come, and that ownership is serious about winning.
Just keep in mind that Horton is not without risk, and he will carry a price tag of around$6 million per.
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