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Lightning send Purcell to Oilers, briefly acquire Gagner (Update)

Edmonton Oilers v San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 1: Sam Gagner #89 of the Edmonton Oilers during a break in play against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on April 1, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Image)

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On face value, the trade is interesting enough on its own: the Edmonton Oilers sent center Sam Gagner to the Tampa Bay Lightning for winger Ted Purcell on Sunday. That much we knew for sure when it happened.

Immediately after the move was announced, the scuttlebutt began about the Lightning buying Gagner out on Monday. As it turns out, Gagner was instead flipped with B.J. Crombeen to the Arizona Coyotes for cap space and a sixth-rounder.

(Click here for the specifics.)

Tampa Bay wasn’t done making moves, either, as they sent Nathan Thompson to the Anaheim Ducks for two low draft picks. (More here.)

As dramatic as the situation is for the Lightning, the Oilers have some questions to answer regarding how Purcell, 28, will fit into the mix and how they’ll replace Gagner, 24, in the lineup:

It was certainly an odd series of events, but ultimately, the Oilers swapped forwards, the Coyotes replaced Mike Ribeiro and the Lightning opened up money or at least made their situation more flexible. Everyone basically wins, right?

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins