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?

Trade talk

It's a week before the trade deadline and there is no indication the Lightning are any closer to making a deal than they were a while ago. Feaster has said he wants to keep the locker room together and would rather trade draft picks and prospects than a body off the roster. Feaster also has kept consistent that he is after either a puck-moving defenseman or a third- or fourth-line grit guy.

The usual suspects are still out there. Columbus' Bryan Berard and Los Angeles' Brent Sopel would probably be the easiest to get and would fill an offensive need, though neither is stellar defensively. St. Louis' Eric Brewer would be a terrific get, but the Blues are still negotiating a new contract, so it could be near the end of the deadline before anyone knows if Brewer is actually available. On the other hand, the later it gets, the lower the price as St. Louis will not want to lose Brewer for nothing.

I was talking to someone today at the morning skate who had some interesting ideas on whom the Lightning should get. He liked Florida's Gary Roberts, an older player with a lot of experience who could play a third-line role or with Brad Richards' line. But Roberts has said he only wants to go to Canada if traded, and he wants a guarantee for next season. Florida's Marty Gelinas was another name that popped up. The guy is a terrific playoff performer and almost scored the winner for the Flames in Game 6 of the 2004 Cup final (remember the puck on the goal line that caused such controversy?).

BTW, Feaster also said he would have no problem going into the playoffs with the current roster. After not making a move last season, anyone have a problem with that?

Trade talk

So, does the idea of trading for Los Angeles' Brent Sopel or Columbus' Bryan Berard get anybody excited? Not that anything is imminent, and it may never happen, but considering the puck-moving defensemen available right now, those two seem to be the best fits for Tampa Bay. The talk is both can be had for draft picks or prospects. Both have about $800,000 left on their contracts for this season, and that is manageable under the cap.

The question is do these guys give the team the boost needed? Let me say this, I have no idea how these guys are in the locker room or if they would be acceptable to Torts. What I do know is used in the right circumstances, the two have something to offer. Mainly that is an offensive sensibility and ability to move the puck.

Berard, especially, has offensive skills but he is coming off two back surgeries and has played only four games since his return. Sopel too was injured this season (a broken ankle) but seems to be healed.

GM Jay Feaster, as I noted in today's story, is in a  tough spot. With so many teams still in the playoff picture, there are not many sellers, which means the pool of available players is not great. Feaster also has to deal with the shadow of Darryl Sydor. The 2004 trade for the defenseman was so good, all others he makes will be measured by it. He also has to think about maintaining the chemistry of a team that is playing pretty well right now.

Anyway, Feaster still has time until the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Perhaps he waits to see what other teams shake out and what other players become available before making a decision.

Are these guys for real?

So, the best I can figure, the Lightning, even in its Cup season, never won 12 games in a 14-game stretch which is just what this bunch can do Friday in New York.

The interesting thing will be to see what general manager Jay Feaster will do at the trade deadline. If he's serious about getting a puck-moving defenseman who also has some grit, he better get in line. Making it more difficult is that there are very few teams ready to sell. The shootout has put everybody into the playoff race, so many teams are looking to buy.

I'll get into some names that seem practical to acquire in a day or so.

But remember what happened last season? Feaster decided to stand pat. Would that bother you if it happened again this season? Do you want him to get a rental that would not impact next season's cap? Or a player who is relatively cheap and can be added to next season's roster that will be squeezed by the payroll cut?

Tough calls all, mostly because a bigger name will require a bigger return to the team doing the selling, and Tampa Bay just doesn't seem that deep.

Artyukhin reunion

So, it looks like the Lightning will make every effort during the summer to sign Evgeny Artyukhin. A fan favorite because of the way he hits, the big Russian has spent this season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the Russian Super League. GM Jay Feaster was very upset when Artyukhin, saying he wanted to hone his skills in a situation where he would get more playing time, turned down one-way contracts of one and two years.

Anyway, it looks as if both sides want to get together, and the Lightning could sure use the physical presence. Arty has had a tough go in Russia too where he began the season on the forth line and drove referees crazy with his physical play.

I'll have more on this in tomorrow's paper, but I know I liked watching Arty play. Bet you can't wait to see him back with the Lightning either. It sounds like it might happen in 2007-08.