Braydon Coburn to Lightning: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been extremely active with the trade deadline rapidly approaching. First, TSN's Darren Dreger reported they sent Brett Connolly to the Boston Bruins. Then, Tampa Bay acquired defenseman Braydon Coburn from the Philadelphia Flyers.
According to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, the Lightning parted ways with two draft picks, a first and third-rounder, and defenseman Radko Gudas.
Lightning G.M. Steve Yzerman would later confirm the trade, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.
Andy Tonge noted that Gudas has been on Flyers general manager Ron Hextall's radar before:
The Lightning are currently well on track to make the playoffs as the second-place team in the Atlantic Division, and trading for Coburn is certainly a sign of the team's intent. TSN's Shawn Simpson has Tampa Bay as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference with the addition:
Coburn will bring plenty of experience to the Lightning's defensive unit. In addition to his 614 career regular-season games, he's also appeared in 72 playoff games during his six trips with the Flyers.
The price tag was certainly high from Tampa Bay's perspective, but it could easily prove to be a worthwhile venture for the team in a few months.
