Jeff Halpern traded to Los Angeles for RW Teddy Purcell and a 3rd round draft selection

by John Fontana on Mar 3, 2010 1:34 PM EST in Lightning Team News

Lightning forward Jeff Halpern is on his way to the LA Kings on this deadline day. Coming back from Los Angeles will be RW Teddy Purcell and a 2010 third round draft pick that was originally owned by the Florida Panthers

Purcell is a bit of a Brandon Bochenski variety forward, in that he is a star in the AHL and can't uite pass muster in the NHL. Rudy Kelly from Battle of California explained:

good offensive player that never really fit in LA. He's a puck possession guy that likes to work along the sideboards and find holes in defensive coverage. He's a former Rookie of the Year in the AHL but he's struggled to find the same space in the NHL. He just seems a split-second too slow for the NHL; he'll see the lane or the opening and then make the play, but by then the opening's already closed. He re-engineered his game this last off-season to become a grittier player but he seemed to lose his scoring touch as a result.

We're still awaiting for an official press release from the team. But being another RW (and comparable to Bochenski in that he excels in the AHL) I would not be surprised if this is to appease Norfolk, who has been robbed of two scoring RW's by Lightning, to aid their own playoff push.

The move removes $1.4 million from the Lightning cap number (trading Halpern's prorated $2 Million for Purcell's $600,000).

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FOR???

by Connie Kim on Mar 3, 2010 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the Good Times

Another key from the Richards trade is gone. Halpern might not have been the best scorer, but he played hard on a nightly basis. Hope he has a good playoff run in LA.

by Lightningfan7609 on Mar 3, 2010 1:55 PM EST reply actions

This makes me sad. :o(

"...And he's only NINETEEN!!!"

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Mar 3, 2010 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Teddy Purcell and a 3rd (Florida Panthers) was the return.

9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Mar 3, 2010 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Thanks!

Good trade, Halpern is a working harder guy, but he get too much money for what he does. We get a cheap player in return and a pick. Nice move.

by MartinBolts on Mar 3, 2010 2:14 PM EST reply actions

If you're gonna salary dump an important leader like Halpern...

…you might as well move other unproductive vets like Ohlund, Tanguay, and Fedoruk, too.

by fogelberg on Mar 3, 2010 3:30 PM EST reply actions

Because Ohlund is so unproductive.

He may not have as many points as he did last season but he is on a different team with a different role. His and Lundin’s job is shut down first.

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."

by geoffissiffoeg on Mar 3, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Ohlund is showing his age this year...

…but I’m sure they still could have gotten a 2nd Rounder and possibly a prospect for him.

by fogelberg on Mar 3, 2010 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

With how much people keep dumpig on Tanguay

…You ctually expect Lawton to be able to unload him?

If other teams are doing their scouting, then they are coming to the same conclusion as fans are with Tanguay.

9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Mar 3, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

My point is, if you're going to get rid of vets for picks and potential...

…why not get rid of them all? With a name like Tanguay, someone would have given up at least what we got for Halpern.

by fogelberg on Mar 3, 2010 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Unloading Halpie was a good move. Got a guy that could use a change of scenery and a 3rd rounder for a draft class that is supposedly pretty deep. Not a bad day.

by k_c on Mar 3, 2010 4:52 PM EST reply actions

Couldn't agree more, seems like a very solid move...

Older vet w/ no upside on a rebuilding team for a young guy w/ potential plus a pick. I approve

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/ted_purcell

by LoL@MyLackOfSportsKnowledge on Mar 3, 2010 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Unimpressive start.....

for Vinik. Already $5-6M under the cap and they dump salary. Halpie was a UFA that performed his defined role very well and provided leadership. The towel has officially been tossed. The players know it, most of the fans know it, even the dumb*** coach knows it.

by Gobaby on Mar 3, 2010 5:01 PM EST reply actions

The season was over once new ownership was announced. Lawton, Tocchet, and the rest of the coaching staff knew they were gone when that happened. They’re just going thru the motions at this point. I’m sure that frustrates the players to no end, particularly since they’re sort of drifting because they have no direction.

"...And he's only NINETEEN!!!"

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Mar 3, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

So Long Jeff, and Thanks for All the Fish!

A move I was expecting, but still saddened me when I saw the news. I hope we can get him back come 1st July, but hopefully he’ll be on to bigger and better things by then.

It does make me wonder if there are to be more call-ups from the Ads – that leaves us with just 21 on the active roster, doesn’t it?

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Mar 4, 2010 3:57 AM EST reply actions