GM Julien BriseBois has been happy with the prospects they've called up while the Lightning deal injuries.
GM Julien BriseBois has been happy with the prospects they've called up while the Lightning deal injuries.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois wanted to make it clear Tuesday morning during his mid-season availability that any speculation about trading his captain at the upcoming deadline is false.
“Steven Stamkos is not getting traded,” BriseBois said. “So we can put that one to bed. That is not going to change between now and the deadline under any circumstances.”
Asked if he envisioned Stamkos being on the Lightning roster beyond this season, BriseBois said “yes.”
“After the season, we’re going to sit down and evaluate where we are as a team, and where Steven is, and see how we can make all those parts come together,” BriseBois said.
The Lightning were back at practice Tuesday, after having a few days off. They’re looking to grab their fourth consecutive win on Thursday against Minnesota. With the injuries to Mikhail Sergachev, Haydn Fleury, Erik Cernak and Tanner Jeannot, the Lightning have had to rely on players from AHL Syracuse. In total they have debuted eight rookies, six over the past two months. So far, it’s gone well for the Lightning.
“Because of injuries this year, we’ve had more opportunities to call up different players and they’ve all come up and they’ve helped us win games,” BriseBois said. “So all that is trending in the right direction and bodes well for the future of the franchise.”
Emil Lilleberg is in his first North American season with Syracuse after two seasons in the top league in Sweden. He brings a physical game that the Lightning were missing and has started to make a name for himself since joining the roster. When asked if Lilleberg would be staying in Tampa given how well he has played, BriseBois indicated that all options are on the table.
“I would say we're gonna cross that bridge when we get there,” BriseBois said. He's been doing really well and right now hasn't given us any reasons to pull him out of the lineup. So at the end of the day, the coaches are going to use the players that they believe gives us the best chance of winning on any given night. And if that means Emil is in the lineup, then Emil will be in the lineup.”
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