Eric Brewer Traded to Tampa Bay

February 18 2011 Last updated at 05:04 PM ET

After narrowly missing the postseason last year the St. Louis Blues went out this past summer and acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak, fresh off his spectacular playoff run with the Montreal Canadiens. At the time, it looked like it was going to give the Blues an opportunity to return to the playoffs for just the second time since the lockout.

It hasn't exactly gone as planned for the Blues after a promising start, as they've dropped down to 13th place in the Western Conference. On Friday, they officially became sellers when they traded their captain, defenseman Eric Brewer, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a third-round draft pick and prospect Brock Beukeboom, via TSN.

In 54 games this season Brewer has already matched his career high with eight goals to go with six assists. He's spent the past six seasons in St. Louis after playing the early years of his career with the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers. Solid player, but durability has been a concern over the years as he's played more than 60 games just twice in the past five seasons.

Tampa Bay has, surprisingly, climbed to the top of the Southeast Division and is in the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference with 74 points. This despite being outscored by its opponents over the course of the season. The Lightning boast an explosive offense that's anchored by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis (No's 1 and 4 respectively in the NHL scoring race). The problem, however, has been preventing goals as they're allowing the sixth most goals per game (3.09) in the NHL.

Back in early January the Lightning attempted to address their goaltending situation (which had been a rotation with Dan Ellis and Mike Smith to start the season) by adding veteran Dwayne Roloson from the New York Islanders, a trade that has produced some mixed results. Roloson has shown flashes of dominance, recording four shutouts since the trade, but he's also had six games where he's surrendered at least four goals, including six during a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

Enter the 31-year-old Brewer who is in the final year of his contract. Tampa Bay will be on the hook for a cap hit of $1.16 million for the remainder of the season.

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