Näslund to leave Tampa?

Tampa GM

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Mar 1, 2002
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Rumours in Tampa the last couple of weeks mention that Tampa Bay Lightning and Markus Näslund will go seperate ways as soon as this summer. Even though Markus has scored 35 points in 30 games since his arrival from Vancouver, Tampa seems not to happy about this performance so far. GM Martin Sedin refused to make any comment, his only reply was that the team is in the playoffrace and will not comment about any kind of rumours for the rest of the season.

Markus Näslund who almost signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay a few seasons ago for 11M$/year arrived with Nolan Pratt from Vancouver a few months ago in exchange for Slovakian forward Miroslav Satan. In the 30 games Markus has played for the franchise he has scored 16 times and added another 19 assist and is +4, which is among the best in the team. He has scored totally 90 points this season and with just 6 games left its not impossible that Näslund will reach 100 points.

After this season Markus has another two years left on his contract that will pay him around 7.3M$, his high contract might cause some problem if Tampa decides to trade him. Other rumours mention that the asking price will not be much, probably just a third liner. One former HFNHL-player said that he had heard that Tampa will go with Daniel Sedin as the top leftwinger this upcoming season and therefor there is no room for Mr Näslund anymore on the roster.

Martin Rucinsky, Kyle Calder, Martin Straka and Vaclav Prospal are a few leftwingers that will became free agents in a few weeks and rumours mention that Tampa will try to sign one of them as a replacement for Näslund.

Markus Näslund said in an interview last week that he is very happy in Tampa and is looking forward to stay for another two season. "The playoffs are our main goal for this season and we just can start to win again I believe we will be there".

Tampa also announced that they have offered new contracts for Nolan Pratt and Jamie Heward. Both did start the season in other teams but have played good enough for Tampa to try to keep them. Defenseman Francois Bouillon, goalie Curtis Joseph and center Marc Choiunard are among the players that will not recieve a new contract offer.
 

Ville Isopaa

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Feb 27, 2002
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Helsinki, Finland
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Sounds like Tampa are ready to throw in the towel for this season, even if there are still games to be played and points to be won.. Even home ice is still a possibility for all 6 teams in the eastern playoff race...
 

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