Truth & Rumors > NHL

Lightning keeping second overall pick

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07:42 AM ET 05.26 | The Lightning, for now, seems more inclined to keep the No. 2 overall draft pick than trade it. GM Brian Lawton has said he is open to at least listening to offers, and things undoubtedly will get hot and heavy at the draft, June 26-27 in Montreal. Still, it appears Tampa Bay has more to gain by standing pat. Consider Lawton's goal of building the team's "foundation." Choosing Victor Hedman, reported to be the best Swedish defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom, would be a good start. Taking C John Tavares if Hedman, the preferred choice, is not there wouldn't be bad, either. Tampa Bay wants to contain costs. Signing either to a rookie contract that pays $900,000 a season, excluding bonuses, is more economical than adding payroll through trades.

St. Petersburg Times

John Tavares, Getty Images John Tavares, Getty Images
May 26, 2009  08:15 AM ET

It will cost 2.6-3.2 million in bonuses.

May 26, 2009  08:44 AM ET

No game last night, talking about the draft... are the playoffs over?

Who made this schedule? Could be a week with no games... NHL (the league, not the sport) is a joke.

May 26, 2009  09:53 AM ET

of course they aren't moving it yet. No surprise here. But if Hedman goes first, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bolts trade the pick rather than make their own, so they can firm up their own defence...they certainly don't need any more forwards, haha.

May 26, 2009  10:19 AM ET

The title says they are keeping it, yet the article says they are "more inclined to keep" it, but is "open to at least listening to offers." What a joke.

May 26, 2009  12:09 PM ET

If the bolts have any type of sense, they would keep it. But they have the boy wonders as owners. Someone should tell them to ride the short bus again.

May 26, 2009  12:18 PM ET

Tampa is a poorly led organization with a meddling owner in a luke-warm hockey environment, since it is unlikely they'll keep St Louis after all this mess. I'd laugh if he ditched FL for the Rangers...

May 26, 2009  02:29 PM ET

pat quinn will be announced as coach of the oilers today at 4pm. booooooooo deadmonton

May 26, 2009  02:33 PM ET

If they land Tavares, they'll have a nice little 1-2 punch of young players in him in Stamkos. They also have Vinny and St. Louis. Come to think of it, they shouldn't be this bad.

May 26, 2009  03:41 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

If they land Tavares, they'll have a nice little 1-2 punch of young players in him in Stamkos. They also have Vinny and St. Louis. Come to think of it, they shouldn't be this bad.

maybe its time to ship out st.louis and vinny so they can buld a young team

May 26, 2009  06:21 PM ET
QUOTE:

As for the rumours of the Bolts or Isles trading their picks......thats just beyond stupid. World class talent thats dirt cheap? Cant go wrong with that. Not unless Boston trades for them,then yes,it makes sense.Hunwick,Bergeron and 1st round draft pick to Tampa Bay for Hedman! Make it happen Boston!!!!!Lidstrom is the best d-man ever!

Didn't you already trade Bergeron away BGM?

May 26, 2009  09:18 PM ET

Mucka lucka hi, mucka lucka hidee ho.

May 26, 2009  10:50 PM ET

Vinny and MArty aren't going anywhere. The fans have already called Lawton and the two idiot owners to the carpet for trading away Dan Boyle, and the new owner saw how quickly attendance dropped last year. Kroules may be a moron and a neo-phyte hockey owner, but even he isn't THAT stupid....

 
May 27, 2009  01:11 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

Tampa is a poorly led organization with a meddling owner in a luke-warm hockey environment, since it is unlikely they'll keep St Louis after all this mess. I'd laugh if he ditched FL for the Rangers...

Where would they fit him with that salary cap?

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