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Wing Exchange -- Tampa Bay trades Artoo to Anaheim for Drew Miller

If you're scoring at home, another fan favorite has been shipped elsewhere. 

Russian beheamoth Evgeny Artyukhin (and his pain-in-the-ass agent, Mark Gandler) was traded to the Anaheim Ducks this afternoon by the Lightning in exchange for LW Drew Miller and a 2010 3rd round draft pick.

Artyukhin, aka Artoo, made a strong first impression with the Lightning his rookie season in 2005-06.  The right wing had 17 points in 72 games and no fear of throwing his large frame around.  The problem was, after that initial season, Gandler decided to play hard-ball on behalf of his client and attempted to get Artyukhin something above the salary structure that then-GM Jay Feaster was employing with fellow-rookies Ryan Craig and Paul Ranger.  Artyukhin did not sign and played two seasons in Russia before returning to the Bolts last season.

Star-divide

Drew Miller, the wing acquired by the Bolts in this deal, has played a total of 53 NHL games, scoring 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points.  Miller, brother of Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, played college hockey for Michigan State and served as tea3 captain.  He saw first-line playing time during the Western Conference finals against the Detroit Red Wings.  During the playoffs he had 2 goals and an assist. 

This deal, while it may hurt the fans, looks to be both an attempt to add a potential scoring wing on the cheap as well as shed salary.  Miller is due to make $525,000 this season while Artyukhin was on the books for a cool million.  And while this does bring another left wing into the system, it thins team depth on the opposite side.  One has to wonder if this is a move in preparation for another, or simply the solid exchange it appears to be?

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