The National Hockey League trade deadline has become a bit of an event in recent years. With Canadian national broadcasters scheduling an entire day’s worth of programming to cover the date, fanfare has increased exponentially. However, when one takes a look at most of the deals completed on trade deadline days post-lockout, it’s hard to point to many true hockey deals. Typically, teams deal minor pieces in the hope of filling out a roster or add depth. When the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Jeff Halpern to the Los Angeles Kings for Purcell and a third round pick in 2010, it looked like one of those minor deals. However, the results have been anything but pedestrian.
Teddy Purcell, a 6-foot-3 winger from Newfoundland, has turned into a real gem in Tampa Bay. However, undrafted but signed to a contract by the Los Angeles Kings, Purcell’s professional career prior to landing in Tampa was anything but solid and consistent.
Playing with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, Purcell established himself as a legitimate scoring threat. In his first professional season, he scored 83 points in 67 games. Kings GM Dean Lombardi and head coach Terry Murray took note of Purcell’s AHL scoring prowess and gave him a shot in the NHL. However, the results were far from similar. In 91 career games with the Kings over three seasons, Purcell tallied 8 goals and 25 points. So, when Lombardi decided to pull the trigger and deal Purcell to the Lightning, few thought anything of it.
To close the 2009-10 season with the Lightning, Purcell scored 3 goals and 9 points in 19 games. Hardly impressive, those numbers really failed to indicate the level of success Purcell would go on to enjoy with the Lightning.
In his first full season with the Lightning, Purcell was given a lot of great opportunities from new head coach Guy Boucher. With 17 goals and 51 points in 81 games that season, Purcell showed the Lightning that they had not made a mistake by trading for him. However, it was in the Lightning’s lengthy playoff run, culminating with a game seven loss in the Eastern Conference Final, that Purcell really made a difference. In 18 playoff games, Purcell tallied 17 points and established himself as a real threat in key situations.
Heading into the 2011-12 seasons, Bolts Nation was excited about the prospect of future development from Purcell; that excitement was not misplaced. Playing on a line with Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos for most of the year, Purcell established himself as a real first line threat in the league. His wrist-shot, one of the most underrated in the league, proved its dominance throughout the season as Purcell scored key goals at key times on his way to scoring 24 tallies, a career high.
Although the Lightning did not make the playoffs in 2011-12, the level of excitement surrounding the development of a relatively young Purcell was palpable within the Lightning family. Down the stretch, Guy Boucher continued to give Purcell more opportunities and count on him in key situations.
Realistically, the sky is the limit for Purcell in Tampa. One of the best acquisitions made by former Lightning GM Brian Lawton, Purcell is a fan-favorite with a lot to give on and off the ice. At the end of the day, it just seems as though Purcell is meant to be a Bolt. With 65 points last season, it's not hard to imagine a point-per-game campaign.
Whenever the current NHL lockout is finally lifted, it will be incredibly interesting to watch Purcell continue to take on more of an offensive role with the team. In addition, Purcell is now part of the Lightning’s diverse leadership core. With so many young players coming up through the system, Purcell’s role as a mentor will be highlighted over the next few seasons.
In conclusion, what seemed like a simple trade has in fact turned into one of the best moves in the Lightning’s recent history. For whatever reason, Purcell just wasn’t producing with the Kings. However, in Tampa, Purcell has turned into one of the most likable guys in the game today. His unique ability to find holes, remain open and produce offense has transformed him from a fringe National Hockey League pro to a serious force.
As always, thanks for reading! Please send me suggestions for a new Twitter name that involves HockeyBuzz, my name, the Lightning or anything else you can think of. Also, remember to submit questions for the next installment of Mike's Mailbag with the hashtag #MM!
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