Various reports surfaced this week claiming that the Tampa Bay Lightning might consider trading star winger Martin St. Louis in an effort to shed salary.
While St. Louis has not been approached by the club about the possibility of waiving his no-trade clause, it's believed the Lightning may turn up the heat on a potential move in the New Year.
If the Lightning attempt to trade St. Louis, a Pittsburgh-based source told TFP the Penguins will more than likely be among the teams extremely interested in acquiring the speedy sniper.
St. Louis is making $5.25 million per year on a contract that doesn't expire until after the 2010-11 season.
With defensemen Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar on the long-term injury list (neither is expected to return for another month, at the earliest), the Penguins will save approximately $4 million to $4.5 million against the salary cap, given them enough room to accommodate St. Louis' salary.
The Penguins have been looking for a goal-scoring winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby. The team signed Miroslav Satan to a one-year deal in the off-season, and while he's produced fairly well, it hasn't been to the expectations of the Penguins.
The Lightning will undoubtedly want a top young player in return and could focus on Jordan Staal.
