TB Trades Former Black Bear Purcell

Former UMaine Black Bear Teddy Purcell has been traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Edmonton Oilers in a salary dump move just hours before NHL free agency begins at midnight tonight.

Purcell was traded for center Sam Gagner, who was quickly traded away to the Arizona Coyotes.

The Lightning are trying to get some salary cap relief and Purcell has two years remaining on his deal that is $4.5-million-dollars per year.

Purcell, 28, played in 82 games this year scoring 12 goals and adding 30 assists. He has been durable, missing only three games in the past four NHL seasons.

Purcell played for the Black Bears in the 2006-2007 season before turning pro. In 43 games in Orono he scored 16 goals and 27 assists.

NOTE:  Another former UMaine Black Bear, Dustin Penner becomes a free agent tonight at midnight. Penner was traded during the season from Anahiem to Washington and has spent 11 years in the NHL.