DreadNaught wrote:Rocker wrote:Filpulla traded to Flyers for defenseman Mark Streit.
We also sent the Flyers a 4th rd pick and a conditional pick, while the Flyers retain some of Streit's current contract that expires at the end of this season.
This was cap move by StevieY looking ahead to this offseason where we have Drouin, Palat, Johnson and Sustr all restricted FA. This opens more cap for us to use on locking up our own.
Sucks to see Bish, Boyle, and Filpulla all go within days of one another, but this team is loaded with young talent in a league w/ a hard cap. So it's smart business for the future.
This is why Stevie Y is being called "The Ninja". And it's no coincidence that the Lightning were chosen as the best franchise in professional sports.
Not only did he unload a player that we would be FORCED to protect in the expansion draft...he did it by (essentially) giving up a 7th round draft pick. He also unloads a 5 mil salary that frees up space to re-sign Johnson/Drouin/Palat. Look at who the pundits are considering "winners" at the trade deadline. The Bolts are there. The gem in the Filpulla deal is that it frees us to protect ANOTHER player from the expansion draft.
Last summer, NOBODY thought we had a chance at keeping Stammer and Hedman AND having a snowball's chance in hell of re-signing those 3. We still may not be able to...but it looks better every day.
Don't be shocked if he finds a way to get Vegas to take Garrison (plus draft picks)...freeing up another 4.5 mil.
Again...this franchise knows WTF it's doing. And they do it better than anyone.