Lightning Deal Lashoff to Toronto

[Thrillhouse]

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired right wing Alex Berry and forward Stefano Giliati from the Toronto Maple Leafs today in exchange for defenseman Matt Lashoff, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Berry, 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, played in 55 games with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies last season, recording three goals and seven points. His 97 penalty minutes ranked sixth among all Marlies skaters. Berry has played in 63 career AHL games during the previous two seasons.

A native of Danvers, Massachusetts, Berry also played in five ECHL games last season with the Reading Royals, recording five points. He also appeared in 16 Kelly Cup playoff games with the Royals, notching two goals and six points.

Berry was drafted by Toronto in the fifth round, 153rd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played college hockey at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, appearing in 124 games, notching 29 goals and 62 points.

Giliati, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, played in 25 games with the Marlies in 2009-10, recording three goals and nine points. He has played in 78 career AHL games, registering nine goals and 24 points with 24 penalty minutes.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Giliati also played in 46 games with Reading last season, recording 23 goals and 55 points with a plus-9 rating. He was tied for third on the squad in goals, tied for second for power-play goals, third in plus/minus and fourth in points. Giliati played in 10 Kelly Cup playoff games with the Royals, recording four goals and eight points.

Giliati was signed by Toronto as a free agent on April 3, 2008. He played in 257 career junior games in the QMJHL with Lewiston and Shawinigan, recording 94 goals and 207 points. Giliati also skated in 32 QMJHL playoff games, recording seven goals and 21 points.

[The Crow]

Well Norfolk is looking like it'll be tough given the possibility of Fritz, Zahn, Gudas, Angelidis and Berry all playing.

[grits207]

Another defenseman? The Marlies already have Aulie, Holzer, Mikus, Gysbers, Richmond and possibly Finger so I'm not sure why they need Lashoff unless on of those guys gets traded. That said, I don't mind this trade.

[silverback]

Originally Posted by The Crow

Well Norfolk is looking like it'll be tough given the possibility of Fritz, Zahn, Gudas, Angelidis and Berry all playing.

Is Berry tough?

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by silverback

Is Berry tough?

Relatively speaking, yes.

[Sukoshi84]

Originally Posted by silverback

Is Berry tough?

Somewhat

[bruiser11]

I thought he had some promise when he was in Boston's system but he now has the feel of someone who could tear up juniors and the american league but can't do it in the nhl.

[skacore]

Pretty minor deal but Lashoff is the closest to NHL ready so that can't hurt, a bit of upside.

I don't really know enough about the situation but I've heard the Leafs are close to their max amount of contracts in the system or something? Maybe a 2 for 1 type deal like this is an easy way to free up another?

[The Crow]

Originally Posted by skacore

Pretty minor deal but Lashoff is the closest to NHL ready so that can't hurt, a bit of upside.

I don't really know enough about the situation but I've heard the Leafs are close to their max amount of contracts in the system or something? Maybe a 2 for 1 type deal like this is an easy way to free up another?

Bingo. Also, the Lightning would have had to pay him 500k even if he was in Norfolk.

[skacore]

Originally Posted by The Crow

Bingo. Also, the Lightning would have had to pay him 500k even if he was in Norfolk.

so it sounds like the Leafs are taking advantage of the MLSE's $ to free up a contract, can't hurt the Marlies either

[Capsfan19]

Originally Posted by silverback

Is Berry tough?

Hes pretty tough, but isnt on a enforcer toughness level.

[Humpzilla]

I'm getting tickets for my new favorite home team:

The Norfolk Admirals

[wayne19]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

I'm getting tickets for my new favorite home team:

The Norfolk Admirals

I,ll save you a seat