Lightning Trade Budaj to Kings for Andreoff

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded goaltender Peter Budaj to the Los Angeles Kings for forward Andy Andreoff. 

Budaj was with the Lightning since late-February 2017, but only appeared in a combined 15 games (11 starts) over two seasons in Tampa Bay. Budaj was initially acquired from the Kings in exchange for Ben Bishop and now heads back to Los Angeles where he figures to serve as the primary backup to Jonathan Quick next season. 

Budaj became expendable in Tampa Bay after the emergence of Louis Domingue, who was acquired via trade from the Arizona Coyotes last November. Budaj was 3-3-1 with a 3.76 GAA and .876 SV% in 2017-18, missing over two months with a leg injury and eventually landing in the AHL upon his return. The 26-year-old Domingue was 7-3-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .914 SV% after his trade to Tampa Bay, ultimately stealing Budaj’s job. 

Budaj returns to Los Angeles, where he was 27-20-3 with a 2.12 GAA, .917 SV% and seven shutouts in 53 games while he was filling in for Quick, who missed 59 games with a groin injury.

Andreoff is a 27-year-old left-shot forward, who had just nine points (3G / 6A) in 45 games with the Kings last season. The 2011 third-round pick (No.80 overall) will have to battle with many capable NHL forwards for a full-time spot in the Lightning’s lineup—it seems possible that he will take Chris Kunitz’s spot on the fourth line.