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Report: Lightning made best offer for Panthers’ top pick

Steve Yzerman

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman talks about the trade of team captain Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning got Ryan Callahan and a first and conditional second round draft pick in the trade. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

AP

We’d heard all about how Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon was listening intently for offers on the first overall pick at the 2014 Draft. What we didn’t know was who was in talks with him to move up.

According to ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun, the team that made the most aggressive push to deal with the Panthers were their in-state rival the Tampa Bay Lightning.

LeBrun said both Philadelphia and Vancouver made strong pitches, but it was Steve Yzerman who made Tallon think the most about dealing. Tallon ultimately kept the pick and selected Aaron Ekblad. You have to think that’s who Yzerman was aiming to take as well.

While Lightning-Panthers doesn’t stand out as as big a rivalry as Rangers-Islanders or Bruins-Canadiens, they’re still rivals and are also divisional foes. You have to imagine Tallon wasn’t too keen on making a deal with a team he sees so often and competes in the same state.

Still, you have to wonder just what did Yzerman offer up for the selection.

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