Would Marty St. Louis ever leave the Lightning?
Would Marty St. Louis ever leave the Lightning? Would Steve Yzerman consider trading him?
Tho notion might not be as far-fetched as you think, and as the April 3 trade deadline gets closer — and if Tampa Bay completely loses its grasp on the playoff race — expect St. Louis and the general manager to at least have a conversation about it.
Let’s preface this by saying there is no indication such a discussion has occurred, and for the Lightning to part with its all-time greatest points producer would be a public relations challenge of epic proportions.
So this is pure speculation and makes sense only if St. Louis, with a no-move clause in his contract, determines leaving gives him the best chance to again play for a winner before he retires.
Consider these circumstances:
When St. Louis in July 2010 signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract extension, he did so with the notion the organization, under new ownership and management, would move in a positive direction. But after the team reached the Eastern Conference final in 2010-11, it was out of the playoffs in 2011-12 and appears this season it will fall short again.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/would-lightnings-st-louis-want-a-trade/2109450