With the deadline on Monday, the trade market is heating up and the number of trades keeps increasing from day to day. The Tampa Bay Lightning have remained silent so far, however that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t make any deals before the deadline. According to the TSN’s reporter Frank Seravalli, the Lightning are going to add a defenceman before the deadline, presumably right-handed, and are in the mix for the Columbus Blue Jackets defender David Savard. Previously Savard was held out from the Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay due to injury protection.
The right side of the Lightning’s defence has been the weakest side of the team for several years. Compared to the left side, which has Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh and Mikhail Sergachev, the right side looks very faded. The problem has become even more significant after losing Jan Rutta and with number of Erik Cernak’s injuries this year. While Cernak returned after two-week absence last Thursday, Rutta’s injury is more long-term and the team isn’t expecting him to return soon. Besides Cernak, Cal Foote and Ben Thomas played on the right side of the Lightning’s blue line on Thursday – both players have zero playoff experience in the NHL.
Last year the Lightning went on a similar path, acquiring Zach Bogosian before the Trade Deadline, which worked out surprisingly well for the team. This season however it could be even more difficult for the team to bring another player, given that the Bolts have just $370,500 in their LTIR pool. David Savard’s remaining cap hit for this season is $1,062,500 and putting Jan Rutta on LTIR could partially solve this problem, but that will also make the player unavailable until the middle of May. Another issue is that David Savard will become an UFA next offseason and acquiring him won’t solve Lightning’s issues long-term.
The Lightning’s also had three people at yesterday’s Buffalo Sabres games, including a goalie scout. As it was previously reported, the Lightning might be interested in the Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Once again keeping in mind that part of a scout’s job is to watch hockey:
The Lightning have three people at tonight’s game in Buffalo.
Tampa has its assistant GM/director of player personnel, the goalie scout and a pro scout on the chart.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) April 9, 2021
We also had another proposition for the Lightning’s potential trade on our twitter.
C’mon, JBB. How much fun would a PK and Serge pairing be? pic.twitter.com/jH116vxRmI
— Raw Charge, a Champa Bay Lightning web site (@RawCharge) April 10, 2021
Lightning Links
Jon Cooper didn’t have any update on Steven Stamkos’ injury after Friday’s practice, saying that player is still being evaluated. Tampa Bay’s captain left the game in the third period of Thursday’s game against Columbus after sustaining an injury.
Jon Cooper said he doesn’t have an update on Steven Stamkos, said Stamkos is getting evaluated today. “I’d say he’s questionable for tomorrow’s game.” #Bolts #TBLvsNSH
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) April 9, 2021
The Syracuse Crunch head coach Ben Groulx discussed Daniel Walcott’s first call up to the Lightning.
“I see Luke Witkowski being the CEO of our team and Wally being the COO. Luke’s the Godfather and Wally runs the show…I think Wally is an every day leader, an every day bunny energizer.”
Ben Groulx on Daniel Walcott after he got his first call up to the Lightning. pic.twitter.com/FHUNq0F5GC
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 9, 2021
Hockey News
More trades happened yesterday. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Riley Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection in 2022.
Riley Nash, acquired by TOR, is arguably the best shut-down fourth line centre in the NHL. Provides no offence whatsoever – nothing happens when he’s on the ice for either team. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kz1vRO8QTn
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 9, 2021
The Detroit Red Wings traded defenceman Patrick Nemeth to the Colorado Avalanche for a fourth-round pick in 2022. The Red Wings will retain the half of Nemeth’s $3M cap hit.
We have a trade!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/CLD7OP1RLb
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 10, 2021
The St. Louis Blues might be both sellers and buyers at this year’s Trade Deadline. Their forwards Mike Hoffman and Tyler Bozak are available, while the team is targeting Taylor Hall as their potential acquisition.
An eye on the #StLBlues!
St. Louis has emerged as a wild card ahead of #TradeCentre, reportedly willing to move free agents out while also interested in Taylor Hall, writes @frank_seravalli as he reveals his new TRADE BAIT board…
The List: https://t.co/CWHisqlefJ#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/TnJsuUlhvV
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 9, 2021
Zach Werenski will miss the rest of the 2020-21 season due to a sports hernia.
Defenseman Zach Werenski has been placed on Injured Reserve due to a inguinal/sports hernia and will miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season.#CBJ | @Huntington_Bank https://t.co/Vz0qZcIeO3
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 9, 2021
The Detroit Red Wings’ Bobby Ryan is also out for the remainder of the season with upper body injury.
Coach Blashill says Fabbri, Gagner, Nemeth are out tomorrow and that Bobby Ryan (upper body) is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 9, 2021
The New York Jersey placed forward Nikita Gusev on unconditional waivers for purposes of termination. Gusev was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a seventh-round pick in 2012.
Nikita Gusev on unconditional waivers for purposes of termination. Has not played since March 20, as young players take over in NJ. Was on waivers 9 days ago, but hit of $4.5M made it untradeable, unfortunately. This creates possibility of signing elsewhere at a lower number.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 9, 2021
Other players on waivers as of yesterday.
Full waivers:
Kyle Turris (Edm), Paul Byron (Mtl), Nikita Gusev (NJ), Kenneth Appleby (NYI), Clark Bishop (Ott) placed on waivers.
And Sabres claim Caggiula.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 9, 2021
