Lightning GM Yzerman would consider trading excess 1st round draft picks

As Steve Yzerman watches former Lightning fixture Martin St. Louis help the Rangers get to within one win of the Stanley Cup final, the Tampa Bay general manager has one eye on the future of his team, which now possesses a wealth of first round draft picks as a result of the trade with New York.

Not only do the Lightning hold their own first round picks in 2014 and 2015, they also own the Rangers' first round picks in each of those drafts as well. 

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Yzerman sees great potential in boosting the Lightning by adding prospect depth, or in dealing those picks for players that can help the team as soon as next season.

We're happy to have two first-round picks, two this year and two next year. We feel with all four of those we have the potential to get four very good prospects that will help us in the future. Obviously it gives you the opportunity to use those picks to trade up and trade down, or to use those picks to acquire a player that may help us sooner. Using the picks to acquire players, we'll see between now and the draft if there's any possibilities out there, but it's definitely something to consider.

There also exists the possibility that the Lightning will re-sign Ryan Callahan, set to become an unrestricted free agent, who recorded six goals and 5 assists in 24 games (including the playoffs) with the Lightning after coming over in the St. Louis trade.

Add it all up, and it could be a busy - and hopefully productive - offseason for Yzerman.