Lightning GM not willing to deal young roster players

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman would like to give his club a boost heading into the postseason via a move at the trade deadline, but he's not willing to give up young roster players such as Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev to do so.

"At the trade deadline, when you're trying to acquire players, usually teams that are selling are looking for younger players, draft picks, and prospects," Yzerman said, according to Joe Smith of Tampa Bay Times. "At this stage, the young players on our team, we want to keep on our team and we want to add to that.

"We're trying to keep this team together with the hope of improving it."

Further to that, Yzerman admits he'll only consider a move that makes sense for the club ahead of the deadline.

"I really don't want to just get a player or something at all costs," Yzerman said. "I don't believe in that. Obviously if we feel we can improve our team and it gives us a better chance to be more successful in the playoffs, that would be our goal."

Of course, being just one point back in the Presidents' Trophy race means the Lightning would also be content with doing nothing at the deadline.

"If I can't improve the team, we'll go with the team we have," Yzerman said. "I'm good with that."