What began as a simple one-for-one trade ballooned into a three-team, multi-stage deal revolving around Sam Gagner on Sunday.
Gagner was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Teddy Purcell. A few hours later, Gagner was on his way to the Arizona Coyotes along with B.J. Crombeen in exchange for a draft pick.
PHX gave up a draft pick to TB for Sam Gagner and B.J. Crombeen. TB clearing salary cap room.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2014
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports the draft pick is a sixth-rounder in 2015, which appears to confirm the notion that this was really an elaborate salary dump by the Lightning, who are desperate to clear cap space. Gagner and Crombeen carry a combined cap hit just shy of $6 million, so if clearing salary is what Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman set out to do, mission accomplished.
The Lightning will reportedly retain salary in the deal:
FYI that Tampa Bay is retaining 1/3 of Gagner's salary in trade to Arizona
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 30, 2014