The Tampa Bay Lightning appear to have made their own deadline ahead of tomorrow’s festivities, and it came a lot earlier than most. After it was confirmed in the wee hours of deadline day that the team had acquired Braydon Coburn for a package that included Radko Gudas, the team also sent Brett Connolly packing. Connolly’s destination is a team who have long been searching for a forward to fill their current needs, a cheap forward who can instantly improve their offense. In exchange, they sent two second round picks to Tampa.
The #bruins have acquired Brett Connolly from #TBLightning for two second-round picks. #NHLTrade
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 2, 2015
At 22, Connolly has struggled at times to fit into the NHL, especially among his young teammates. This season he has a career high 12 goals, but only 3 assists. That gives him 15 points in 50 games this year with the Lightning. The next point he records will break his career best 15 point season set in 2011-12. His career totals up to this point are 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 134 NHL games.
On top of his NHL career, Connolly has represented Canada at the World Junior Level. He has also been a prolific scorer whenever the club has re-assigned him to the AHL, with two seasons of 63 and 57 points respectively. The Bruins will hope that some of this scoring will translate to the NHL level in the very near future.
The move certainly makes sense for the Bruins from a financial standpoint, as the team who are very much up against the cap acquire a player only being paid $850,500 according to NHL Numbers. This is the last year of his contract as he will be a restricted free agent this summer.
For Boston, this addresses their need of a forward, which appears to be their main purpose of this deadline. The team has been rumoured to be involved in numerous other dealing involving top forwards, and could still move for another if they are able to free up cap space in the exchange.
It also gives Tampa either prospects in what is seen as a very solid draft class, or assets to use in future dealings. It is not known yet the years of the draft picks that they acquired, although they could be meant to compensate for their 1st round pick being lost in acquiring Coburn.
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Featured Image:
