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Oilers trade Sam Gagner to Lightning for Teddy Purcell

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

In the words of commissioner Gary Bettman: "We have a trade to announce."

The Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning made a deal Sunday night: 

Gagner, a center who'll turn 25 in August, is under contract through 2015-16 at a cap hit of $4.8 million. He scored 10 goals and added 27 assists in 67 games last year. He has 295 points in 481 career games, all with the Oilers. He may move to the wing in Tampa. 

Purcell, a winger who'll turn 29 in September, scored 12 goals and added 30 assists in 81 games last year with Tampa Bay. He has 228 points in 401 career games, and is under contract through 2015-16 at a $4.5-million cap hit. 

"But what about the possession stats?" we hear you asking. Here you go: 

Gagner's Corsi-for percentage was 44.2 percent last year, but keep in mind that he did play for the Oilers, one of the worst possession teams in the league last year, better than only the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres. 

Reports were flying around on Twitter shortly after the deal was announced that Gagner would be bought out by the Lightning, but we'll let NHL.com's Dan Rosen clear that up for us: 

Thanks, Dan. 

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