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Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune has been all over Brian Rolston's impending free agency from the Minnesota Wild: Reporting that Rolston intended to test the market as a UFA, before updated his blog with the rather stunning news that Rolston's rights may have been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. As of 9:03 p.m., the NHL hadn't approved the trade. Less than an hour later came this update:

9:57 pm update: OK, here’s the best it’s been decribed to me. Rolston’s rights were traded to Tampa Bay for a third in 2010. However, if the Ryan Malone contract is approved as expected, the pick becomes the 2009 fourth round pick Tampa traded to Pittsburgh.

HOWEVER, if Rolston signs there, that fourth becomes a third again — either San Jose’s third-round pick in 2009 that Tampa Bay owns or Tampa Bay’s third in 2010 — at the Wild’s option.

St. Pete Times writer Damian Cristodero, who reports that Ryan Malone (a seven-year, $31.5-million contract) and Gary Roberts ($1.2-million contract, with incentives that could raise it to $2 million) could be announced as new Bolts by Monday, has a bit more on Rolston's trade to Tampa.

Should co-owner Oren Koules talk him into signing with the Lightning, Rolston will be an asset on the penalty kill (18th in the NHL last season) but one would assume he'd have to play center for a team that suddenly has a left-wing log jam with the additions of Malone, Roberts and Vaclav Prospal. Not a problem for Rolston; wonder if they'd put him at the point with Dan Boyle on the power play?

The bottom line is this: Rolston wants to test the market, and could find a situation where he'd be a top-line player next season rather than a contributor in Tampa Bay. If the Bolts find a way to get him into the fold ... well, after Malone and Roberts and potentially Rolston, let's just go ahead and add this to the Puck Daddy glossary: Drinking the Koules-Aid.

Also tonight: TSN is reporting the Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenseman Matt Greene. A good trade for both teams? The hell's that about? Also, John-Michael Liles and Adam Foote have resigned with Colorado.

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19 Comments

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  1. B S
    1. Posted by B S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    Kings need a defensive D-man and big body back there. Greene is the perfect fit for this role. The uncertainty of Visnovsky's play was killing most Kings fans and that probably includes Lombardi. Stoll brings a known presence as a 3rd line center and is a playoff monster with invaluable experience.
    They also are rumored to have the inside track on Brad Stuart. Detroit posturing won't help...
  2. Maraldo
    2. Posted by Maraldo Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    i think it's about time the good doctor mirtle came around and had a glass of koules-aid and embraced the wackiness because it's shaking things up a bit and i for one am a fan.....these guys have balls, gotta love that
  3. Goose
    3. Posted by Goose Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    I guess Gaborik is next to go....Minnesota teams are so frustrating. They never re-sign ANYONE. It's getting harder and harder to watch them.
  4. Wyshynski
    4. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ shmorticus
    Yes, I agree. Mirtle must drink the Koules-Aid.
  5. Sex panther
    5. Posted by Sex panther Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    Kings Shall suck once again, Shouldn't the lightning focus on goaltending?
  6. Wyshynski
    6. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ Sex panther --
    What, no love for Mike Smith in Tampa?
    I think you mean, "Shouldn't the Lightning focus on defense?" Because they, like, don't have much.
  7. woodward
    7. Posted by woodward Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    hmm...if I'm Brad Stuart, do I want to return to a team where I have a very legitimate chance to repeat as a Stanley Cup champ, or do I want to crawl back to LA and fleece the Kings with my poor play?
    It's usually all about money, but Detroit is not a team that overpays.
    Look at the ex-Wings who bolted for more $$$...
    Bertuzzi was an overpaid bust for the Ducks, and will probably earn a lot closer to 2 mil this year,
    and I would gladly have Brian Rafalski over Schneider...wait...is there even a comparison?
    I wish the Kings a lot of luck, but they blew it when Crawford came with his boy Cloutier in tow. Now Cloutier is feigning injury so that the Kings cannot buy him out and I guess he will continue to lead the AHL payroll... let's see, who can we put around Anze Kopitar and Patrick O'Sullivan...how bout Scott Thornton and Brian Wilsie? Puh-leeze.
    Why on earth did the Kings not make a run at Ron Wilson? Tortz is not what that team needs...if I'm the Kings, I would throw Blake's money at a younger and much better Brooks Orpick or go the offer sheet route with Jay Bouwmeester from the Panthers...Sergei Fedorov could play D better than Lubo did (or didn't)
  8. Justin M
    8. Posted by Justin M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    For TB, now only if they had defence!
  9. Justin M
    9. Posted by Justin M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    and Goaltending!
  10. wittcap
    10. Posted by wittcap Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:48 pm EDT

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    Seems like the team that was in salary cap hell the last 2 years is determined to return there as soon as possible. You know what's important in a salary cap league? Drafting, finding cheap young talent, it's gonna be hard to do that if you trade all your picks away so you can overpay Ryan Malone and Brian Rolston.
  11. J.P.
    11. Posted by J.P. Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    It's worth noting that the Bolts haven't signed Prospal yet (as far as I know), and that the acquisitions from Pitt were seen by some as a sign that they weren't going to be able to sign Vinny P. The Rolston trade will do nothing to dissuade people from that line of thinking.
  12. Deborah
    12. Posted by Deborah Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    This is great and all- if a little strange....but none of these people Tampa is getting is a goalie. No goalie...no playoffs.
  13. Matt
    13. Posted by Matt Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    @ Deb: Like Wysh said, I think no defense is their bigger problem.....
  14. Bob
    14. Posted by Bob Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    Smith didnt have much time to work into the position with the Lightning last season.Maybe with a different coach this goalie wont be thrown under the bus like Denis was by Tortorella.Denis was never given a chance to be the number one because of Torts and his quick hook.Granted Denis didnt show much in his first few games but with the pressure Torts put on the guy its no wonder.Hopefully with some of the young guys on D they will have the upgrade they need there.
  15. mr bbb
    15. Posted by mr bbb Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Tampa needs defensemen and a goalie. They may score some goals next year with these overpriced older stars, but will lose lose games 6 to 5.
  16. polkey
    16. Posted by polkey Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Lets just give our players away. I guess the wild feel that Rolston is only as good as a third or fourth round draft pick. I am getting so sick and tired of watching our best players go. He was a fan favorite and well the most consistent player on the team. He missed only five games in three years and a shot compared to no one in the league. Why not trade gaborik he is always hurt and we pay him to sit in the stands. I am sick of the Minnesota Professional sports teams and it is so frustrating to see all the great players leave after a short period of time. They better go after someone like Hossa because that is really all that is left.
  17. J-D
    17. Posted by J-D Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    1. Everyone's already forgotten Mike Smith and Karri Ramo. And they already improved their goaltending when Tortorella was let go, along with his goalie-murdering system.
    2. What salary cap hell? The one the old owners self-imposed on the team? Because they ain't here anymore. The Lightning were like $10M under last year's cap because PS&E were too cheap to spend any more. With the cap going up this year, that number jumped to $15M+. Even if they sign Rolston to what you would assume is $3-4M per, they still have a few million left under the cap. They had a LOT of room to maneuver.
    3. Your tears taste so sweet, haters! Cry some more, they give us power!
  18. ryan
    18. Posted by ryan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    Everyone is quick to forget Mike Smith and Kari Ramo. They both have the potential to be #1 goalies. Last time I checked the Lightning didnt have much experience/talent to spread amongst the lines. With Prospal, Lecavalier, and St. Louis all on one line who does that leave much left over to help develop Stamkos. The new owners are doing a fantastic job at filling those gaps. We're on our way to having a solid spread across the board, and not just on one line.
  19. JR
    19. Posted by JR Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Mike Smith and Kari Ramo are not good enough yet, but they will develope soon enough, the new staff and getting a vet in to tutor them. I think TBL are going to acquire a #1 goalie, rumors are they are talking to Huet, Kolzig, and Emery

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