The acquisition of the left wing from the Blues sets up several scenarios.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published June 22, 2003
NASHVILLE - It will be interesting to see how the Lightning's acquisition of Cory Stillman plays out.
Is the left wing, given away by the Blues at Saturday's draft for Tampa Bay's 62nd pick, simply a fallback in case points leader Vinny Prospal is lost to unrestricted free agency?
Or is Stillman, who had 24 goals last season, an addition that will make the Lightning a significantly better team?
Maybe he's a little of both.
It was simple to read between the lines when general manager Jay Feaster was asked about the first possibility.
"If I've demonstrated anything in the last year and a half, it's that I am someone who buys insurance," he said.
But he added, "If this is not needed, we have just become an incredibly deeper team. This gives us a player who can step in and play."
The deal was the most dramatic part of the draft's first day in which Tampa Bay traded out of the first round, got three picks in return, and addressed pressing organizational needs by drafting two defensemen and a goaltender.
Rugged blue liners Mike Egener and Matt Smaby were taken in the second round with the 34th and 41st picks, respectively. Goalie Jonathan Boutin was selected in the third round with the 96th pick.
"To be able to do that and get Stillman is unbelievable," Feaster said.
But draft choices are evaluated in the future. The Stillman trade is part of an evolving drama.
"I'm excited to go to Tampa Bay," he said. "It's a young team and a team on the rise."
It's also a team with tough contractual questions. One of the most significant is Prospal. The left wing is looking for $3.5-million a year for five years. The Lightning is offering $2.5-million a year. If Prospal is not signed by July 1 he will be an unrestricted free agent, eligible to sign with any team.
Enter Stillman, 29, the No.6 overall pick in 1992 by the Flames who scored his first NHL goal in October 1995 against the Lightning.
The Peterborough, Ontario, native scored at least 20 goals in five of his past six seasons. He fell short in 1999-2000, when he missed 45 games with a shoulder injury.
The 6-foot, 197-pounder played on the power play and penalty kill. He was third on the Blues with a personal-best 67 points, had 43 assists, 56 penalty minutes and was plus-12. Prospal had 22 goals, 57 assists, 53 penalty minutes and was plus-9.
"I think I bring an overall game," Stillman said. "I had a better season because I played at a more consistent level."
But on a team looking to lower a $60-million payroll, almost everyone is expendable. Blues general manager Larry Pleau initiated talks with Tampa Bay last week.
Pleau originally wanted Tampa Bay's first-round pick, the 25th overall. But Feaster traded that pick to the Panthers for Nos.34 and 41 and the 192nd overall pick in the sixth round.
Pleau was determined, asking for No.34, then 41 and, finally, 62.
"When he was willing to do it at 62," Feaster said, "it was too attractive to pass up."
This scenario might be likewise. Feaster signs Prospal and captain Dave Andreychuk, who also can become unrestricted, and works a trade for another defenseman by dangling, say, underachieving left wing Fredrik Modin.
It's speculation, but keep it in mind.
Stillman, too, must be signed. He made $2.1-million last season, though as a restricted free agent Tampa Bay can retain his rights by making a qualifying offer by July 1.
Given the Lightning's tight $33-million payroll, Feaster was asked if the additional salary is a concern.
"At the end of the day (owner) Bill Davidson doesn't ask me how I got there, but that I got there," Feaster said. "At the same time it's about improving the club. It's like a big puzzle. You get some pieces that fit, you move them around. But I'm confident we are a better hockey club today."
