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Lightning GM Yzerman sees no. 1 potential in Lindback

Pekka Rinne, Anders Lindback

Nashville Predators goalie Anders Lindback (39), of Sweden, replaces Pekka Rinne (35) in the third period of Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks in a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey series on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ducks won 6-3 to even the series at 2-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

As we previously reported, the Tampa Bay Lightning surrendered three draft picks as part of a trade to acquire Anders Lindback from the Nashville Predators.

The cost was significant, but the potential reward makes a lot of sense from the Tampa Bay Lightning’s perspective.

“We are very pleased to announce this trade today,” Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said. “We believe Anders will join the team and give us a nice lift at the goaltending position as we prepare for the 2012-13 season. He has the potential to develop into the No. 1 goaltender we covet.”

Barring another move by the Lightning, Lindback should get a shot to compete for the starting job in 2012-13, although he might initially split time with Mathieu Garon. Lindback doesn’t have much NHL experience, but he certainly has plenty of upside.

This deal pretty much fits the textbook definition of what a trade should be. Nashville didn’t need Lindback with Pekka Rinne signed through the 2018-19 campaign. Rather than hold onto their promising young goaltender until he eventually left as an unrestricted free agent, they maximized their value by trading him to a team desperate for goaltending before the market started to sort itself out and eliminate potential suitors.

Unfortunately, this trade might end up being the highlight in an otherwise discouraging summer for Nashville.