From TSN:

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s new ownership group vowed to be “staggeringly aggressive’ in the NHL’s free agent sweepstakes and they are trying to get a head start on that.

The Lightning have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the exclusive negotiating rights to forwards Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

”We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete,” Lightning owner Oren Koules said. ”This trade today doesn’t guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players.”

Read the entire story here.

Ladies and gentlemen, the NHL’s version of Mark Cuban has arrived. The Bolts promised to spend money and, boy, they weren’t lying. By acquiring the rights to Malone and Roberts, the Bolts have exclusive negotiating rights with the two through Tuesday. If they opted to give away a 4th round pick for that privilige, you have to think they will sign both players before that deadline arrives.

Richard Pollock

Share
Published by
Richard Pollock

Recent Posts

3/5/25 Illegal Curve Hockey Show

Guests: Jacob Stoller at 32:09 and Frank Seravalli at 1:23:58.

6 hours ago

Game 77: Winnipeg Jets vs Utah Hockey Club pre-game report

A look at the projected lineups and pre-game interviews.

8 hours ago

Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Keeping you up-to-date with all the latest pro hockey news in Manitoba.

11 hours ago

Winnipeg Jets Practice Report

Two games down and one more to go as the Jets practice today in Utah.

1 day ago

Next day takeaways: 3 thoughts as the Winnipeg Jets defeat the Golden Knights 4-0

Win or Lose the day after a Jets game we get some next-day thoughts on…

1 day ago