Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is looking to improve the roster ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but won’t be doing so at the expense of the young players on the team.
“At the trade deadline, when you’re trying to acquire players, usually teams that are selling are looking for younger players, draft picks, and prospects,” Yzerman said, according to Joe Smith of Tampa Bay Times.
“At this stage, the young players on our team, we want to keep on our team and we want to add to that. We’re trying to keep this team together with the hope of improving it.”
That likely means that players such as Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev are not going to be available.
“I really don’t want to just get a player or something at all costs,” Yzerman continued.
“I don’t believe in that. Obviously if we feel we can improve our team and it gives us a better chance to be more successful in the playoffs, that would be our goal.”
“If I can’t improve the team, we’ll go with the team we have,” Yzerman said. “I’m good with that.”
