Monday, June 30, 2008

Lightning Trade for More Rights


If this isn't the perfect example of being an aggresive team in the off-season, I don't know what is. We're now sitting in the final day before the frenzy begins and the Tampa Bay Lightning want an early crack at Brian Rolston as well. They sent a draft pick in either 2009 or 2010, depending on Rolston signing on, to the Minnesota wild on Sunday night, for those exclusive rights.

To Tampa BayAgeGamesPointsContract
Brian Rolston, F358159UFA
---
To Minnesota
Conditional Pick in either 2009 or 2010

As you can see by Rolston's numbers, he still isn't doing terribly bad for himself, production-wise. A move to the Eastern Conference could be the thing he needs to break out of the defensive-first style of play in Minnesota. An update later today will likely see the signing being done and being added to the list.

The Lightning are putting together a pretty good program of players thus far and July hasn't even kicked off yet. The addition of Rolston could very well bring some much-needed leadership to a new nucleus forming in Florida. Of course, it is still uncertain where all these players will play together, which will also depend on the development of their first overall pick, Steven Stamkos, as well. All in all, it does seem to fare well for the team, who used to be very top-heavy when it came to their depth.

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