dbr wrote:As for writing his hockey sense off, I'd give Booth a bit more time to adjust before making assumptions about how well he sees the ice. After all, players adjusting to a new system and teammates often look out of place for fairly long stretches - just ask James Neal.

I'm a little surprised at the impatience surrounding the Booth deal, especially when we are seeing how well Higgins and Lapierre are playing after getting used to the new system.
Neither of these guys made an impact immediately and now that they know the system and have had a training camp with the team are performing quite well. James Neal is of course, as you mentioned, another great example of this.
Because Booth was dealt for early in the year hopefully he will find his way and learn the system after playing for a few months and getting some good practice time in with the team. Therefore becoming the payer we need him to be by the second half of the season.
Has anyone ever started a job with a new company? Even if it's in the same field or occupation as your old company it takes some getting used to, I would say at least 6 months to a year. Each company or team has their own modus operandi and even though and even though you may know the industry it takes time to acclimate yourself in order to perform your best.
Give the guy, or any new acquisition for that matter, some time and a bit of a break.
Booth with Kesler and Higgins is going to be a huge pain in the ass to play against when that line is clicking. They are all fast, tenacious and skilled and all roughly the same age entering their prime years. It will be a very good line in time, just cut the guy a bit of slack - especially while his centreman gets back up to game speed after surgery!