On the eve of the NHL's free-agency signing period, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks parted ways with key cogs of Stanley Cup-winning eras for both franchises, allowing both some maneuverability moving forward.
Tampa Bay on Tuesday traded forward Tyler Johnson and a 2023 second-round draft pick to Chicago in exchange for defenseman Brent Seabrook, the Blackhawks announced.
Johnson, 30, had just eight goals and 22 points in a limited role for the Lightning this season, but occupied important minutes in the postseason and was a contributor to the last two postseason runs, both of which ended with a Tampa Bay title.