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Quick Strikes: J.T. Miller traded to the Canucks

Posted on by Igor Nikonov

The Bolts

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded forward J.T. Miller to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for goaltender Marek Mazanec, a 2019 third-round pick and a conditional first-round pick in 2020. The first-round pick will become a 2021 first-round selection if the Canucks won’t make playoffs in the 2019-20 NHL season. In that case, the 2021 first-round selection isn’t lottery protected. [Raw Charge]

When Miller signed, he was only given a modified No Trade Clause for the last four years of his contract. That wasn’t scheduled to kick in until July 1st this summer, allowing the Lightning to trade him anywhere prior to July 1st. I’ve viewed his contract for the past year as being the salary cap safety valve for the Lightning if they ended up needing more room than thought to re-sign Brayden Point. Miller has a very reasonable contract which would make moving him fairly easy. Moving his $5.25 million salary cap gives the Lightning some more flexibility going into the free agency period.

Czech goalie Marek Mazanec has recently signed a two-year deal with Mountfield HK from the Czech Extraliga. Per GM Julien BriseBois, the Lightning aren’t planning to bring him in North America.

Jared Clinton from the Hockey News wrote about the outcomes of that trade for both teams [The Hockey News]

So, a slight overpayment? Maybe, but it’s a deal that saw both teams get exactly what they wanted. The Canucks add to an offense that was far too centered on three players, one of whom was a baby-faced rookie last season, while the Lightning got sweet, sweet cap relief, though it likely won’t be long before they’re right up against the spending limit once again.

Six players have become the newest members of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization during the second day of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. We’ve run a live blog with all available information of the Lightning selections [Raw Charge]

Maxim Cajkovic – (RW/Saint John’s Sea Dogs)

Cajkovic is prototypical Lightning selection in the third round. He’s a small winger with good hockey sense and some offensive upside. He didn’t produce the way he was expected to last season, putting up just 46 points in 60 games, and some scouts had questions about his effort level. But at the end of the third round, this is a nice upside pick for the Lightning after going safe with their first pick and addressing a need with their second. According to our consolidated rankings, Cajkovic was the best player left on the board at the time of the selection.

Corey Pronmam gave the Lightning a C-grade for their selections at the NHL Draft [The Athletic, paid content]

The Bolts had an interesting weekend. I like Nolan Foote, I think. Like his brother, he looks like an NHL player, but pick No. 27 was a bit high for me. I think Maxim Cajkovic, through his issues, is talented enough to make it. I liked goalie Hugo Alnefelt in stretches and think he has a chance to be an NHL goalie. Mikhail Shalagin has been a favorite of mine for two years, not in terms of a high ranking, but I appreciate the player and do think he’s an NHL prospect. There are pieces here to work with even if they aren’t leaving the draft with a true top prospect.

Scott Wheeler has also shared his opinion [The Athletic, paid content]

I didn’t love the Lightning taking Nolan Foote as high as they did on Friday but the Maxim Cajkovic pick at No. 89 (he was No. 26 on my board) has the chance to be really special. Cajkovic was criminally underrated by virtue of playing on one of the worst QMJHL teams in recent memory but he has high-end skill with the puck.

The Game

The New Jersey Devils have acquired defenseman PK Subban from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies and two second-round picks.

The Predators are planning to use remaining cap space after PK Subban departure to sign Matt Duchene.

Patrick Marleau has been traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for 2020 sixth-round pick. The Canes also got a conditional first round pick and a seventh round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

According to reports, Marleau isn’t going to stay in Raleigh.

Patrick Marleau’s wife shared a touching message on twitter

The Toronto Maple Leafs are also working on extensions for their forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson.

The NHL agreed on a salary cap at $81.5M for the next season.

The UFA and RFA speaking periods open within next few days.

Most players have been selected from the WHL during the 2019 NHL Draft.

Corey Pronman did a huge job, reviewing this year’s draft for every team.

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Talking Points