Anders Nilsson leaves Ottawa, ready for Tampa Bay Lightning

Of: By Bjurman

Published: Dec 28, 2020 at 06.19

NY. Anders Nilsson has found a new home in the sun.

The hero goalkeeper of the 2018 Tre Kronor gold team was traded last night from Ottawa to reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa, but is unfortunately still suffering from concussion symptoms and will not play at all this season.

It’s starting to look like a new NHL season is finally coming. Activity in the player market has intensified dramatically in the last 24 hours, and a couple more deals were completed last night.

Reigning champions Tampa Bay Lightning earned much-needed cap space by returning veteran Braydon Coburn and center Cedric Paquette to the Ottawa Senators, in exchange for Swedish goalkeeper Anders Nilsson and a second pick in the 2022 draft.

Nilsson, who was one of the great heroes when Tre Kronor won the World Cup gold in Copenhagen 2018, has played in Ottawa for the past two seasons. Before that, he protected the box in turn, New Yorkers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabers, and Vancouver Canucks. Now, for the first time, he has to move to the sunny south. Unfortunately, it will be a while before he can be shown to fans at Amalie Arena, because the 30-year-old from Norrbotten has been suffering from concussion symptoms for a long time and is already on the long-term disabled list.

“He will not play this season,” said a statement from Tampa.

Star recruiting for the Blues

At the same time, it is announced that Mike Hoffman, the most wanted piece of the rest in the free agency market, has signed a test contract with the St. Louis Blues.

That Hoffman, who scored 29 goals for the Florida Panthers last season, is offered only one such trial contract may seem strange, but it comes down to technicalities related to other contracts. When the season kicks off in just over two weeks, he’ll definitely have a real deal, and the Blues an even sharper offense.

Photo: Matt Slocum / TT NEWS AGENCY

Published: Dec 28, 2020 at 06.19

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