NHL Rumors: Tampa Bay Lightning Making Trade Offers

The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to make trade calls around the league as management is once again gearing up for what they hope is a long playoff run. We've seen it time and time again how the Lightning make a couple of trades before the deadline which end up paying dividends for their franchise's success.

This season is no different as the team has been in contact with the Vancouver Canucks and have shown interest in reuniting with defensive-defenseman Luke Schenn. Schenn won two Cups with the Bolts and is a cheap option for some depth on the blue line. The Lightning will need to outbid the Boston Bruins here, as they've also shown serious interest in Schenn.

Another trade to expect from Tampa Bay is for a third-line checking winger and one who plays the same type of shut-down style to the likes of ex-Lightning Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow. The team showed the league they will move whatever it takes in the deal that brought Brandon Hagel to Tampa last season and this season expect more of the same.

The Lightning are likely playing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and will need as much shut-down forwards as possible as the Leafs possess a high-powered top-heavy offense.