2009 NHL Trade Deadline – Lightning Comings and Goings
Thursday, 5. March 2009
Brian Lawton said he was looking for draft choices – we got one. We did get some depth at defense. After sitting Recchi and Roberts Tuesday night so they wouldn’t be injured, Recchi was traded and Roberts cleared waivers. Looks like Stamkos’ tutelage will continue under the watchful eyes of Gary Roberts.
Boston picked up Mark Recchi and a 2nd round draft pick in 2010 for 2-minor leaguers – Matt Lashoff, 22 (defenseman) and Martins Karsums, 23 (forward). The Bruins will benefit from having Recchi (I hate seeing him go – I read Boston is planning on signing him for the 2009-2010 season in the Boston Globe).
Recchi gives the Bruins playoff experience and a veteran presence. Recchi, at 41, with 535 career goals joins Phil Esposito (Lightning founder and 620 WDAE radio color commentator), Dave Andreychuk (Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Captain and current Community Representative for the Lightning), John Bucyk, and Joe Mullen in the small group Bruins scoring more than 500-goals. He has 2-Stanley Cups, he is a 7-time All-Star, and he has accumulated 1426 points over his career.
Lashoff hasn’t played any NHL games, but he appears to be a good prospect for the Lightning on paper. Karsums played in 6-games for the Bruins this year and he has 17-goals, 24-assists, and 20-penalty minutes in 43-minor league games played.
The Panthers got Steve Emminger (the only healthy, experienced, defenseman we have left) Noah Welch (defenseman) and a 3rd round draft pick in 2009. Welch was injured most of the last two seasons but has played 23-games in the minors this season. This was a salary dump to be sure – the Lightning wouldn’t be able to pay what he would get in arbitration!
The biggest deal has to be the way the Lightning unloaded 3-injured players to the Maple Leafs for Richard Petiot (defenseman). Toronto got Olaf Kolzig (goalie) who had surgery, Jamie Heward (defenseman) out with a concussion, Andy Rogers (minor-league defenseman) who has a back injury, and a 4th round draft pick. Another salary dump???
The salary dumps should help us get some help over the summer – I just hope we don’t trade the whole team again! I will be at the coach’s chalk talk tomorrow before the game – I’m interested in hearing what there plans are for the rest of the season as far as the line formations go.
