It’s not the flashiest of deals but the Lightning have made a trade, moving forward Juraj Simek and acquiring center Levi Nelson from the Boston Bruins. Both forwards are currently in the AHL.
Simek was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks with Lukas Krajicek in 2009. He’s represented little more than forward depth to the Bolts during hsi time here, netting a total of 66 points over 3 seasons witht he Norfolk Admirals.
As for Nelson, point production through his career say something about him… But what speaks more clearly is talent analysis. Though Hockey’s Future and Bruins Draft Watch seem to conflict on some of the terms that they sed to describe Levi, one word that came up from both reviews was agitator.
I’ll let the Bruins blog summarize what made Nelson expendable in their review of the guy. I see Simek int he same boat: Time. It was running out, and now has
The former sixth-round pick in ’06 was a project pick at the time who didn’t have a great deal of upside, but had potential because of his energetic two-way game and intangibles. Four years later, he doesn’t appear to have “it” and barring a major breakthrough in Providence, will likely be let go to pursue his pro hockey dreams elsewhere. He’s higher than others in the Boston system because he was a two-time 20 goal man in junior and has the kind of ability to be an NHL player, but as of yet, has simply not put it together enough to warrant serious consideration by the B’s.
What encourages me though is the system Nelson is coming into. A two-way game where a responsible forward is needed… If he can manage an effort nightly, he should fit into the system.
The official press release from the team is below the jump
LIGHTNING ACQUIRE FORWARD LEVI NELSON FROM BOSTON
C Joins Tampa Bay; LW Simek Sent to Bruins
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired center Levi Nelson from the Boston Bruins in exchange for left wing Juraj Simek, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Nelson will be assigned to the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Nelson, 6-foot-0, 192 pounds, has appeared in 14 games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins this season, recording four goals and seven points with a plus-3 rating. His four goals rank fourth among all Bruins skaters, while his 19 penalty minutes rank sixth.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Nelson has played in 118 career AHL games, all with Providence, notching 14 goals and 27 points. His best season came in 2009-10 when he registered AHL career-highs with eight goals, five assists and 13 points in 44 games. He has also recorded two goals and three points in nine career Calder Cup Playoff games. In addition, Nelson has appeared in eight career ECHL games with the Reading Royals, recording two goals, three points and 28 penalty minutes.
Prior to his first full professional season, Nelson excelled at the junior level during four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. In 198 career games with the Broncos he amassed 65 goals, 152 points and 340 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 22 WHL playoff games, notching 11 goals and 22 points. He ranked seventh among all WHL skaters during the 2007-08 playoffs with 15 points in 12 games.
Nelson was originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round, 158th overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
