Tampa Bay Lightning free up more space by sending Steve Downie to Colorado Avalanche -NHL
Detroit Red Wings wanted Kyle Quincey and Colorado Avalanche wanted Steve Downie, but they did not want to do it themselves as they had other benefits in mind to which the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise came to the rescue and made the sudden three-way deal happen.
Tampa Bay has been a big seller so far as the February 27 trade deadline gets closer. Lightning have already sent forward, Dominic Moore to San Jose Sharks and defenseman, Pavel Kubina to Philadelphia Flyers, making Steve Downie the latest to go.
The Lightning acquired Kyle Quincey for Detroit earlier Tuesday morning, February 21, 2012, in trade for Steve Downie, pleasing the Colorado Avalanche, than traded off their new acquisition to the Red Wings for a first round draft pick in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.
"Our organization believes that Steve Downie will add grit and skill to our lineup offensively," Avalanche GM Greg Sherman said in statement.
Team general manager, Steve Yzerman, definitely proved himself to be a player in the business with the three-way deal, satisfying all three teams involved.
Yzerman at the moment is not focused on the present but rather has his eyes set on the future, which can be seen as he continues to free up space and get future draft picks in return.
"These moves are made to make us better in the future," Yzerman said Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. "We're excited about the future. These draft picks give us options. They don't help today, no question, but again my goal is to get a Stanley Cup here, and I think we have to do some tough things along the way to do that."
Downie, a 24-year-old right winger who was picked up as the 29th overall draft pick during round-one of the 2005 selection by Philadelphia Flyers, was currently in his fourth season with the Lightning ever since having been traded back in the 2008-2009 NHL season.
He has played a total of 252 games throughout his career for a total of 124 points (53 goals, 71 assists) including 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) this season alone in 55 games.
Tags: