Vaananen pays the Price

(Tampa) - Tonight the Lightning will suit up against the Atlanta Thrashers but one player will not see the ice anymore for the Bolts. After Gm Sprackman ripped Ossi Vaananen for his game vs the Hurricanes, Gm Sprackman traded the defenceman to the St.Louis Blues. Going to the Blues was Vaananen and coming back to Tampa was young Dman Saviels and the Blues 1st round pick in 2009.

"That game against the Canes was just the tip of the iceberg. He has played so undiscipline over the year and has cost us too many goals against. He is a good young kid but right now we can't have bad plays and terrible penalties ruin our slim chance of post season." Gm Sprackman said after the move. " We hope he helps the Blues in their persuit of the Cup but for us, sitting in the penalty box isn't a good place for a player to be all the time. Now, we get a player who is a project but has some upside to his game. He has almost as many points as Vaananen, is a better +/- guy and believe it or not has no penalties this season. We also get a 1st round pick, which we didn't have so it will help the jr team."

With the move, the Lightning look forward to 3 straight games vs the Thrashers. If there was ever a chance to make the playoffs, this is it. Lose one of these games and the season will be done for the Lightning. Gm Sprackman hopes all the moves made will get the team ready for next season, but a spot in the playoffs this season would be sweet. We shall see.....