What's the verdict on trade?

Hey, everyone. This is Eduardo Encina, the Times' backup Lightning writer. After writing the story in today's Times about the Lightning's trade to acquire defenseman Shane O'Brien, I've received some mixed reaction about the trade.

A little background: General manager Jay Feaster said the team had been interested in O'Brien since last season, when team scouts were impressed with his play in Portland of the AHL. The Lightning and Ducks had been in talks for weeks and a team source said that Feaster and Ducks GM Brian Burke revisited the subject this past week during the GM meetings in Naples. Apparently, Feaster adding the first-round draft pick sealed the deal, because if the Tampa Bay had offered a lesser pick, Burke made it clear he was ready to ship O'Brien elsewhere before Tuesday's trade deadline.

So what does everyone think of the trade? Did the Lightning give away too much of its future to make a run this season. Will O'Brien add the toughness Torts believes the team lacks?

Comments

[Phantom]

I put this on the last thread:
I was going to wait for the new topic before posting this, but I'll get it out of the zone now. Please forgive...
Thanks Jay! At first look this OB kid will be a nice fit. Sort of a Paul Ranger with muscle. His game is improving each year and if he and Ranger pair up to push each other (OB helps Ranger stay focused, Ranger helps OB learn to selectively visit the sin bin and both keep the plus/minus a plus.), we'll have a heck of a future blue line tandem.
He's no Sydor for the Cup thrust, but I can already see our netminders sigh relief with our new crease watchdawg. Can you imagine Denis getting more relaxed and mysteriously better with the addition of a +5 blueliner?
I can.
Holmer can take his stuff to the next level of elite as well, if OB is worth his salt.
Heavy price though, doubtful Coleman would've surpassed Ramo or Boutin in their race to the NHL. If we can dump a slacker to get another pick-doesn't have to be a 1st or 2nd-I wouldn't mind extra, extra picks in the 3,4 rounds, we-be-fine.
Lightning Nation, clear thy pipes to cheer loud and proud in April, May, & June. (If nobody gets hurt.)
Every danged shift, every dad-burn game.

Play it like this is the game you want to be remembered for.

Go you maniac Bolts!

[josh]

Great trade as far as I'm concerned. Giving up a first rounder in a weak draft and a goaie when our system is stocked with that position is no big loss. Besides, everyone knows a defenseman is the hardest player to develope. Getting a young guy, who is ready to step on the ice immediately, is an amazing pickup, with the added plus that he's a disciplined, defensive player.

[SarasotaBill]

What's not to like about the deal? The trade addressed the need for some D help and added some big time grit. There is also some huge upside potential. Forget any future potential, what we know for fact is that we picked up a quality young D-man who plays with an edge. Anything else we get is icing. What did we give up? Our 3rd best goalie prospect? I don't think we'll miss him. A first round pick? Well........the experts seem to agree, there are 6 to 8 blue chippers in this years draft and very little separates the rest. As far as I'm concerned, all that happened is we moved from the first round to the 3rd and picked up a guy who is likely to fit in real well here. This year and in the future. We added a D-man AND some much needed muscle by dropping from the first round to the third. I'll take that any day. I love this deal.

If you have the time or inclination, check out the Ducks message boards. The fans out there are not at all happy. They think they got taken. Maybe, maybe not. As all trades go, only time will tell for sure. For right now, this is a huge help for us. This kid has all the tools. He could become a huge part of the Lightning for the next few years and maybe beyond.

By the way, for those who think we gave up too much, did anyone see what Atlanta gave up for Tkachuk? I believe it was a 1st and 3rd pick this year and a 2nd next year. All for a guy who may be nothing more than a "rental." It's my opinion that Feaster did well with this one.

[keith]

Agree with all the above. Seems like a shrewd and smart move by JF. The kid can do nothing but improve the team.
Folks in Duck land are pissed!
Together with Tarnasty and Roy (possibly Arty next year) maybe some of the boys won't have to put up with the pasting they take from other teams tough guys some nights.
Great all round game against the Pens. When Ritchie takes a game by the scruff of the neck like that, teams will have a tough time beating TBL

[Satch]

Ditto! I'm in on this one too. We just got a little better on defense and a whole lot tougher. A definite improvement. I heard a guy on center ice comment that in his opinion, O'Brien has Phaneuf type skills and upside, and that he was surprised the Ducks traded him. He plays the same rugged, physical style - is as good a skater, and possesses offensive talents that are just becoming evident at the NHL level.

The Phaneuf comparison sounds to me like a stretch but apparently there is a wealth of talent in this kid. I'm anxious to see him start clearing the net and rattle some teeth with his hitting.

[Satch]

A couple of things I forgot. You're right SarasotaB, Atlanta did pay a very high price for Tkachuk. A 1st and 3rd rounder in this years draft along with a 2nd rounder in 2008 and a serviceable player in Metropolit. All for a rental. Atlanta however, might be able to re-sign him after this year. If they decide to, and are able to sign him for next season, they have to give St Louis another draft pick. Their 2008 1st rounder. Huge price!!! No doubt he will make them better but at that price? It's absolutely crazy.

Last but certainly not least. Last nights game against the Penguins was, I think, the best game of the year to watch and maybe the best game the boys have played this year. Outstanding!! And how bout that Wanvig? He threw a few big hits and made a few pretty good plays. Could be a keeper.

[Manny]

Only time will tell, but I like the trade we made for Shane O’Brien. He fits well within our salary cap and will definitely provide some much needed muscle on our defense. Shane will also create a competitive drive on the defense to perform, because now someone else beside defenseman Luke Richardson will become a healthy scratch. That competitive drive on defense was very evident in last night’s game when our defense played one of its best games by keeping Pittsburgh’s offensive power in check all game long. If that’s what Shane O'Brien brings to this team, then the trade was definitely worth the loss of minor league goaltender and a first round draft pick.

[Charity Hammond]

I absolutely HATE this trade. Of course, I'm an Anaheim fan, and I'm pissed to see Shane O'Brien go. He's been my favorite player since before the season began and I was really looking forward to watching him develop throughout the next few years with a young, thriving team that we have.

I understand that this move is excellent for Shane professionally and that ultimately this is a business and that's the way the chips fall. But I could kick Brian Burke for making it, even if the price Shane was traded for is "fair" in my estimation.

As far as talent on-ice, Shane moves his feet well and is an amazing skater. He has offensive abilities that are undermined and enjoys joining the rush whenever possible. He makes smart plays, but of course, he makes plenty of mistakes as well. He's been on a steady improvement all season long and has stepped up whenever he was needed. As far as physicality, Shane can bring that up a notch because he doesn't deliver the big hits much. He can play physical and he can throw his fists around, but he'll learn more as he continues to grow as a player.

Speaking on behalf of many fans in Anaheim, his presence both on ice and off is sorely missed.

I wish him and the TBL team the best. I know he'll bring so much more than fans expect.

I think S O'B will be just that...

Did anyone see Thrasher game last night on VS?Looked a little scary.

What an exciting season thus far! Keep winning Bolts.

[Phantom]

At 3:01pm I'll be the first (and only) one to say, "I wish Jeff Halperin could have switched locker rooms tonight." Trade balance? Whom do you like as our future (1-2 years away) in net? Ramo? Boutin? Helinius? I know, a club with net woes (until recently) shouldn't mortgage so much of their future so fast, but pick one to go west where they can't stonewall us on a regular basis. (Cowboys QB= Romo; Stars goalie= Ramo? Riku is our future, folks!)
No matter, we fine da ways we iz.
The Georgia Juggernaught has to avoid the playoff choke, whereas we've been there. Must stay healthy though.
Should be interesting. Go Bolts!

[keith]

Watched the Thrash last night sporting their new look with Tkatchuk and Zhitnik. Rentals or not, they both looked like good additions to an already pretty good team. Lehtonen looks like his head is back in the game again too.CAR plays OTT tonight. Hate like hell to root for the Sens, but a Carloina loss would give us a fraction more comfort.
Go Bolts

Is it time to panic?
Has anyone seen all the trades today?
Ryan Smith to Islanders,
Roberts and Frankenstein to Pitsburgh, etc.....

Hope we can handle the new competition!?!

[Jenna]

I LOVE THIS GUY!
HES ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
Hes a very good skater. Defends his teammates, and has great determination.
Hes also really smart, and notices small details [such as when he saw that the time had rolled over and extra 2 seconds and had the referees change it]
I love him, and hes a perfect fit on our team... and do i even have to mention how hott he is...
hes definitely got some muscle!

GOOD PICK JF