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NHL Trade Rumors: Lightning to acquire Mark Streit from Flyers

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Oilers, 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Oilers, 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tampa Bay Lightning are finalizing a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers involving Valtteri Filppula and Mark Streit. 

Going into the 2017 NHL trade deadline, the Tampa Bay Lightning are in a unique position. They need to be sellers and they’re looking to clear cap space so they can take care of the bonuses for their younger players. General manager Steve Yzerman is doing this in a creative way, as the Lightning have acquired Mark Streit from the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Valtteri Filppula.

"Streit departs the Flyers after spending parts of four seasons with the club, including the last three as an alternate captain… He has recorded 30 goals and 110 assists for 140 points in 274 games as a Flyer."

This trade is all about clearing cap space for next season. A draft pick will also be heading to the Flyers. Streit will be a free agent after this season. The Flyers will get a 2017 fourth round pick and a conditional pick in addition to taking on Filppula’s contract. He’ll be a free agent after the 2017-18 season.

Yzerman needed to clear cap space. That’s always a difficult thing to do. But he’s found a way to do it, even though he had to pay a premium. At the same time, the Lightning aren’t necessarily out of a playoff spot. They’re fully capable of making a late season run, as fans have seen in the past. Streit helps them out on the blue line.

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Filppula has 34 points in 59 games this season. He gives the Flyers a solid forward, albeit an expensive one with a $5 million cap hit. They also net quite a few draft picks. For the Lightning, they clear cap space, so it’s a win for them. This could mean Tampa Bay is gearing for a quick retooling of their roster.

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