The Tampa Bay Lightning today found the experienced defenseman they'd been seeking for several weeks, acquiring 11-year NHL veteran Eric Brewer from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third draft pick and prospect defenseman Brock Beukeboom.
Brewer, 31, is currently in the final year of his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. In 54 games with the Blues he had 8 goals, 14 points, 57 PIMs and a plus-minus of +1. He had a “no-trade” clause but agreed to waive it to go to Tampa Bay.
With this acquisition the Lightning's rookie GM Steve Yzerman has given clear indication he's not going to stand pat while Eastern rivals Philadelphia and Boston bolster their respective rosters via trade.
The Lightning currently sit second overall in the Eastern Conference and first in the Southeast Division, but had been in need for a puck-moving defenseman who can also play responsibly in his own zone, a need which Yzerman hopes Brewer, who was ...
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