Boston Bruins ship Benoit Pouliot's negotiating rights to Tampa Bay Lightning -NHL offseason Update
It is still not clear from whose side the trade was initiated or demanded, but Boston Bruins have officially announced that they have traded the negotiating rights of left winger, Benoit Pouliot, to Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2012 National Hockey League
(NHL) Entry Draft weekend on Saturday, June 23rd.
According to sources, the Boston Bruins were not interested in having the player continue contributing the team and had been looking for offers from teams around the league. Tampa Bay emerged to be the victors in terms of securing the players negotiating
rights and could be signing a deal with him any time in the upcoming days.
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman, is definitely excited about the acquisition as it would provide his squad with extensive offensive depth that was much needed during the club.
"He's got the skill, the ability to play with our top guys," Yzerman said. "We're going to give him the opportunity."
Pouliot was on a one-year contract with the Boston Bruins and has been on such contracts for the past three seasons. His previous contract details are reported to be worth $1.1 million but a considerable boost in reported to be in store for him by the Tampa
Bay Lightning club that failed to make the postseason this year.
"He's one of those guys who's got high-end talent who are just figuring out what they need to do in the NHL and where they fit, so I think we have him at the perfect time," Lightning coach, Guy Boucher, said. "He goes to the front of the net. He's not afraid
to go along the boards, so right now it's to continue building what he started and make him consistent. It's a great project for us and a great addition to our team."
Pouliot is a former fourth overall draft pick by the Minnesota Wild club during the 2005 draft. He played four straight seasons with Minnesota before being dealt to Montreal Canadiens. He had a real breakthrough season with Boston Bruins, in which he put
up a career high of 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 74 games played.
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