A few weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the draft lottery, and essentially the rights to Steven Stamkos of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. But should Tampa Bay trade this pick?
Steve Stamkos is a 6'1" center, 185 pounds, with a right handed shot. This year, he has 58 goals and 47 assists for 105 points, while last year he had 42 goals and 50 assists for 90 points, totaling 100 goals, 97 assists, and 195 points in 124 career games in the OHL.
However, out of the many needs Tampa Bay has, a forward is not one of them. They have an extraordinary top line in Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and others. They have okay defense, that could possibly use some boost to help out star Dan Boyle. Their main need, however, is good, young goalie.
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Ever since Nikolai Khabibulin left Tampa Bay after the lockout, they never again had a great season. They have struggled greatly in the goaltending department, and it has affected the rest of the team, not allowing them to play aggressively, because they do not have the comfort of knowing their is a good goalie behind them if they make a mistake. Perhaps trading this number one pick is the best thing for them.
If they do trade this pick, they should make a trade that would still allow them to have a pick in the first round in order to get a good defenseman. The Toronto Maple Leafs have the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft. Perhaps a trade with them? Here are some possible trades that I see happening at the draft.
1a. Toronto gets: Tampa's #1 pick and D Brad Lukowich
1b. Tampa Bay gets: G Justin Pogge and Toronto's #7 pick
2a. Tampa Bay gets: Columbus' #6 pick and G Daniel Lacosta
2b. Columbus gets: Tampa's #1 pick
3a. Tampa Bay gets: St. Louis' #4 pick and G Hannu Toivonen
3b. St. Louis gets: Tampa's #1 pick and F Andreas Karlsson
So there you have it. Three potential trades that I think allows each team to gain something out of it, namely Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty (for the team trading with Tampa Bay). But I think that in order to start the rebuilding process that is so needed in Tampa Bay, GM Jay Feaster must trade this pick for a goalie or defenseman.
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8 months ago
Alan-
GREAT article, very well thought out and researched. As tantalizing as getting Drew Doughty or Steven Stamkos might be, I rather doubt Tampa will do the Leafs (or any Eastern Conference team) any favors like trading up for the #1 pick. Does Tampa need another top-flight forward? Maybe not, but they have plenty of talent to use as trade bait. I also think trading away Pogge is also next to impossible. Giving up Tukka Rask for Raycroft was a mistake, and with all the talking up the MLSE people are doing with Pogge, making sure his development is handled with the utmost care, I think Pogge will be backing up Toskala come this fall, and will probably get more game action that Raycroft did. A lot of that will depend on the new GM and (possibly) new coach. But excellent article nontheless!
-A. Balsillie
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