As most of you are painfully aware, Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman held quite the fire sale right before the beginning of the Free Agency period.
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During that time, we saw a number of players leave the Bolts Nation.
While some would be missed far more than others, when you say goodbye to a player, sometimes it is like saying goodbye to a member of the family.
Thus is the case when it comes to Nate Thompson.
The Lightning traded Thompson to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth and seventh round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
While there is a part of me that trusts in Yzerman’s decisions over the course of the last few days, including his spectacular choices in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft; however, there is a small part of me that is puzzled by the move.
At this point, you have heard my stance on this subject, if not, you can see it right here.
Now, after having some time to let everything sink in and make the necessary arrangements for the big move, Nate Thompson has taken to his Twitter page to express his gratitude to the team and the fans for making his time in Hockey Paradise so special.
As I said before, saying goodbye is never easy; especially when that player is as well respected by both the locker room and the fans. Thankfully, Thompson is handling the move with the utmost of class and making the most out of the situation.
While he may no longer be in a Lightning uniform, there will always be a piece of me cheering for the Alaskan Assassin. Well…except for when he plays against the Lightning. Then I will give my judging scowl.
If you had the opportunity to say one last thing to Nate Thompson, what would it be? What are some of your favorite memories of the Alaskan Assassin and his time here in the Bolts Nation? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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