NHL Trades: Tampa Bay Lightning Wheel and Deal Steve Downie, Kyle Quincey

It is hard to deny that the Tampa bay Lightning are selling, as they are dealing players all over the place. TSN's Bob McKenize reported a series of moves that the Lightning made in a short time today via Twitter. 

It started with this move, that they made with the Colorado Avalanche:

"

TB has traded Steve Downie to Colorado.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 21, 2012"

McKenzie then reported that the Lightning received Kyle Quincey in exchange, it just didn't stop there. 

"

COL trades Kyle Quincey to TB for Downie.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 21, 2012"

Quincey barely had time to adjust to the idea of leaving Colorado before McKenzie reported that he was he was on the move again.

"

Confirmed. TB trades Kyle Quincey for DET's first round pick.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 21, 2012"

Last but not least, the Lightning reported one more trade through their own Twitter page.

"

The Lightning have acquired F Brandon Segal from Chicago in exchange for F Matt Fornataro.

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 21, 2012"

What it means?

The Lightning are sellers. For the most part, they are getting rid of NHL proven players for future hopes. It is hard to imagine the rest of the league not seeing this and calling Tampa Bay to try to acquire some other veteran players for a playoff push. 

This also goes to show how quick things change in the NHL. Remember that the Lightning were in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Now, not even a year later, they are undeniably selling their talent to the highest bidder. 

If you're a fan of a bad team, realize that if the Lightning can slide this far, someone else can move up. 

What's next?

There isn't a lot more to do but wait at this point. If you're an NHL General Manager, you're certainly checking things out, seeing who else might be available. These trades all broke within about an hour of each other, so Tampa is not what you would call gun shy at this point. 

This is an unbelievable flurry of activity, but the Lightning still have names that could be moved. This flurry of action has to give a lot of teams hope that something else might happen soon.

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