:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53470121/usa_today_9883484.0.jpg)
With the playoffs fading out of sight in a year the Lightning expected to compete for a Stanley Cup, general manager Steve Yzerman is retooling on the fly
Yesterday, Yzerman traded center Brian Boyle to Toronto. If reports from TSN insider Bob McKenzie are to be believed (it’s Bob, so they are), they’re getting ready to move veteran center Valtterri Filppula.
TB has list of 16 teams Valtteri Filppula can be traded to; 13 he can't. Belief is TB has approached him to consider waiving to one of 13.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2017
TB aggressive, moving rentals Bishop/Boyle, while still chasing playoffs so no surprise to hear TB trying to be creative to ease cap crunch.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2017
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Filppula apparently rejected a trade to Toronto, where teammate Brian Boyle was traded to.
Valtteri Filppula rejected a trade to Toronto this week. Part of a bigger trade with Brian Boyle. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 1, 2017
Filppula, 32, has another year remaining on his $5 million-per-year deal. Signed as a free agent from the Red Wings in 2013, Filppula put up 25 goals and 58 points in his first season in Tampa Bay.
He’s declined steadily since then, on pace for just 46 points this season. Trading his large cap hit is important for the Lightning, who have a lot of restricted free agents to re-sign this offseason. Keeping Filppula and impending RFA Tyler Johnson, for example, is a truly difficult task. They also need to re-sign Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat, Jake Dotchin, and Andrej Sustr.
If Peter Budaj leaves in free agency, they need room to find a backup goalie if they’re not high on Kristers Gudlevskis anymore.