Monday has been a particularly busy day for the Tampa Bay Lightning and general manager Steve Yzerman. Hours after two deals to bolster their blue line depth, the Lightning sent defenseman Matt Gilroy to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defensement Brian Lee.
Lee is the third defenseman Tampa Bay has added to their roster on Monday. He has one goal and eight points in 35 games for the Senators this season.
Gilroy had two goals and 17 points in 53 games with the Lightning this season.
The move adds some certainty to Tampa’s roster. Gilroy, 27, is due for unrestricted free agency after this season. Lee, just 24, will be a restricted free agent.
Together, Yzerman’s three Monday deals, as well as a move last week to acquire Sebastian Piche and a first-round draft pick, make the Lightning’s blue line younger, speedier and stronger, particularly Lee and Keith Aulie, who was added earlier on Monday.
For more on this move, check out SB Nation’s blog on the Lightning, Raw Charge.