In the shadow of the signing of Riku Helenius and with speculation fixating on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick was candidate one to be acquired by Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman in the lead up to the 2012 NHL draft… well, in a flash on this Friday afternoon, “Weekend at Bernier’s” has been formally canceled.
Goaltender Anders Lindback, center Kyle Wilson, and a 7th round draft choice have been acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Sebastien Caron, two of Tampa Bay’s 2nd round selections in next week’s draft (#37 and #50), as well as a 3rd rounder.
Lindback, who just turned 24 last month and stands 6′ 6″, split time in 2011-12 with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and the Nashville Predators, where he was playing behind Pekka Rinne. He has played a total of 38 NHL games… Which is a fraction less than fan-favorite target Bernier.
Lindback’s entry-level contract is set to expire, he will be a Restricted Free Agent.
Wilson, 27, has been a journeyman in his AHL and NHL careers and appears to be a depth acquisition at the moment. Likewise (for Nashville fans), Sebastien Caron had been signed as a temporary pick-up after Mathieu Garon’s season-ending injury. Caron, who had been playing in Europe, had reassured his European club that he intended to return next season.
The price was high, and if that was the going rate for goaltenders leading into the 2012 draft, one has to wonder what the Kings were commanding for Bernier,…Or the Vancouver Canucks are asking for in return for Roberto Luongo.
Our own Clare Austin commented on the potential for Lindback as an option in net several weeks ago in a story on goalies who may be targeted by Steve Yzerman. Her assessment was… Well…
No. Just no. He’s very good, but inexperienced and his style is far too different from Frantz Jean’s style for him to have a hope of a chance here. Yes he needs to learn control. No he doesn’t need to rely on that alone. He’d do about as well in Tampa’s system as Pekka Rinne would, especially since those two are virtually identical when it comes to biomechanics and mentality. [Try to tell them apart without looking at masks/pads/numbers. I dare you.] He’d be cheap, though.
The following is a press release from the club on the deal:
LIGHTNING ACQUIRE ANDERS LINDBACK, KYLE WILSON, DRAFT PICK FROM NASHVILLE
Tampa Bay Trades Sebastien Caron & Three Draft Picks to Predators
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired goaltender Anders Lindback (AHN-dehrs LIND-bahck), forward Kyle Wilson and a seventh-round draft selection in 2012 from the Nashville Predators in exchange for goaltender Sebastien Caron, Minnesota’s second-round and Philadelphia’s second-round selections in 2012, and Tampa Bay’s third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today.
Lindback, 24, played in 16 games this past season with the Predators, compiling a record of 5-8-0 to go along with a 2.42 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. The 6-foot-6, 203-pound goaltender has appeared in 38 career NHL games, all with Nashville, registering a 16-13-2 record, with a 2.53 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. One of the league’s tallest goaltenders, Lindback made his NHL debut on October 9, 2010 against the Anaheim Ducks in a relief effort. He made seven consecutive starts from December 4-17 during the 2010-11 season, posting a 6-0-1 record with a 1.43 goals against average and a .949 save percentage.
The Gavle, Sweden native was originally selected by Nashville in the seventh round, 207th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Lindback earned a Bronze medal with Sweden at the 2010 World Championships, his first time representing his nation.
Wilson, 27, played in five games last season with the Predators, recording two shots. The Oakville, Ontario native has skated in 39 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals, Columbus Blue Jackets and Predators, collecting four goals and 13 points. Wilson notched two assists in his NHL debut as a member of the Capitals on December 15, 2009 against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Oakville, Ontario native was originally selected by the Capitals in the ninth round, 272nd overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Wilson has appeared in 321 career AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage, Hershey Bears and Springfield Falcons, recording 119 goals and 251 points. He won back-to-back Calder Cup championships as a member of the Bears in 2009 and 2010.
