Tampa Bay.......playoffs hopes!!!

St-Petes Gazette

The Tampa Bay Lightnings gave out all their assets to be where they are today.  In a toughest division this year, GM St-Pierre went all out, and boosted his team the best he could. Picks, Prospects, potential yougnsters, all went on the market.

A spot in the playoffs are the goal for the team, but at the moment, it's a tight race, and not sure if they can achieve that.  Time will tell but only a few games before the deadline.

The Bolts aquired Sharp, Gardiner and Lydman in the past few days.  And sent players like Byfuglien, Paajarvi and Glendenning....all of them with great future in the NHL.

GM St-Pierre want to let the other teams know, that if they are not in a playoff position, they will be probably sellers at the deadline.  Only looking for high picks and youngsters with potential.

Here is the list of the potential players maybe leaving the Tampa Bay roster at the deadline......at the right price of course.  Teams could start sending offers, and GM St-Pierre will keep all them in mind, with a response to all of the messages of course......

- Sharp (LW/RW)

- Setogucchi  (LW/RW)

- Stajan (C)

- Lydman (D)

- Ward (RW)

- Chimera (LW)

- Hudler (C/Rw/LW)

" I don't have to trade them, but if they goes, believe me, they will be expensive!!!" GM St-Pierre told the media  " All of them have tremendous great stats in the real NHL.  They are elite players in Tampa Bay and fit really well in our budjet"

The Tampa Bay Lightnings made many trades, and still 4 millions below the cap.  With the 4 millions signing bonus they gave Stamkos last year, really hurt them this year.  But next year, they will only be around 55 millions in cap space money.  Great asset to boost his lines even more with elite veterans. 

" When we make a trade, we are looking at a few things before pulling the trigger.  NHL Stats, Age and SIM's Contract.  All of our players will be greatly rated next year even if we don't make the playoff.  All of our players stats in the NHL are where they need to be to compete with stronger teams"   Assistant Cyr told TSN this morning.

Stay tunes.......more rumors around the league that St-Pierre is not done yet......

John Lu - TSN