With the Feb. 29 trade deadline fast approaching, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is hoping to have his deals done before 3 p.m. on Monday. He has made clear that Steven Stamkos will not be traded, but it appears the GM cannot wait to deal winger Jonathan Drouin. The 20-year-old has been in residence in Montreal since being suspended from the AHL for failing to appear to a Syracuse Crunch game last month. There are numerous offers for him on the table, and Yzerman is hoping to deal him off soon.
"I definitely prefer to deal him sooner than later, it would be better for everyone," Yzerman said on Wednesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith. "A lot of things factor into it when making the trade, a lot of things to consider here. But number one is, 'Can I do something involving Jonathan that benefits the team that makes us better right now that helps us for the playoffs? I'd certainly like to do that."
The team has been rumored to be in demand of a young, right-shot defender, as Anton Stralman and Andrej Sustr are the only two on defense. Contrary to this though, Yzerman seems to be putting his team's power play as priority.
"We all have needs," Yzerman said, according to Smith. "If I could do something to help our power play, I'd like to do that. And that's going to be difficult to do."
Tampa Bay has a good offensive team, but their power play is 22nd in the league, at 17.5 percent.
The problem Yzerman faces is his cap issues. With only $1.5 million of space available, it does not leave much room if the GM wants to bring in a veteran player. This has brought up rumors that Matt Carle and his $5.5 million salary for each of the next two years might be traded, but the 31-year-old has stated that no one has approached him about a trade.
"It's not just our salary cap, it's the team that you're trying to make a deal with salary cap too," Yzerman said, according to Smith. "That's what everybody doesn't really understand. When trying to make a deal involving players and contracts, it's got to work for both teams. It's not just mine. It proves challenging for everyone."
The GM will most likely not make too many moves, as he has focused on keeping his strong team together.
"I've found it very difficult to trade core guys," Yzerman said, according to Smith. "And you have to give up something to get something, and it's hard to do, we're all trying to make trades where we're getting something we like but none of us want to give up anything that we like."
"Every time we talk about a trade with another team, you're hoping to give up as little as you can," he continued, "but the reality is if you want something you have to pay for it, and that's what you've got to do."
Yzerman is hoping other GMs are feeling the same way, as he expects to obtain a lot for the young star Drouin, and he is hoping to get it soon.
