Ka-Bouwm!!!

St-Pete's Gazette

The Tampa Bay Lightning made a splash last night aquiring veteran defenceman Jay Bouwmeester from the Calgary Flames.  After loosing so many important games, GM St-Pierre knew something needed to be done.

" I was getting so frustrated to see how many important games we were loosing, espacially when you get an average of 35 to 40 shots on net a game, you should be winning the majority of them " St-Pierre told the media this morning.

Bouwmeester was schedule to be UFA at the end of the season, reason of not re-signing with the Flames, but, on his list of teams to be traded was the Tampa Bay Lightning among other teams.

" GM Tremblay and I have been talking for months regarding Bouwmesteer.  We couldn't get on the same page, because of the large contract Boum still have this year.  But when we traded Antropov to Dallas, for cap space issues, I saw a possibility to fit Boum in our line up."  GM St-Pierre said.

Despite the trade, Bouwmeester is not a Tampa Bay Lightning yet, the Bolts managment still have two chances to offer him a long term contract.

" We needed a veteran in our lockeroom to help our young defence core to excel on the ice, and I see Bouwmeester a perfect fit for that" coach Capuano told TSN this morning.

Bob McKenzie tweeted earlier this morning  -   " With an amazing first rookie year the Bolts had last year, no wonder GM St-Pierre went all out and gave all his Year 4 draft picks.  Still in good shape with his AHL'ers, and prospects,  It only mean one thing for St-Pierre....Go Big or Go Home "

Also, earlier this week, Tampa Bay aquired another veteran to help the offense youngsters like Vey, Palushaj and McGinn, with the services of Joel Ward in the front seat. 

Tonight will debut Bouwmeester's first game versus the red hot Carolina Hurricanes.

Stay tunes, rumors are that other teams are interested to aquire Bouwmeester when he sign his long term contract.

John Lu  -  TSN Sport Center