"We're trying to keep this team together with the hope of improving it," Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times. "At the trade deadline, when you're trying to acquire players, usually teams that are selling are looking for younger players, draft picks and prospects. At this stage, the young players on our team, we want to keep on our team and we want to add to that."
The young players include rookie defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (19) and forward Brayden Point (21), who has 52 points (23 goals, 29 assists) and played in the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28.
The comments indicate Tampa Bay likely won't trade for a big name, but rather will look to add depth defensemen and/or forwards.
"I really don't want to just get a player or something at all costs," Yzerman said. "I don't believe in that. Obviously if we feel we can improve our team and it gives us a better chance to be more successful in the playoffs, that would be our goal."
The Lightning (40-17-3), who lead the Atlantic Division by one point over the Boston Bruins, play at the Ottawa Senators on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, SUN, NHL.TV).
"If I can't improve the team, we'll go with the team we have," Yzerman said. "I'm good with that."
