Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman got rolling well in advance of the NHL trade line, off-loading salary and collecting draft picks to facilitate his overhaul.

A quick summary:

The Lightning sent rugged winger Steve Downie to Colorado for defenseman Kyle Quincey, then sent Quincey to Detroit for a first-round draft pick minor-league defenceman Sebastien Piche. Earlier deals sent Pavel Kubina to Philly and Dominic Moore to San Jose.

So Yzerman has two first-round choices and three second rounders in 2012. He will also get Florida’s 2012 or 2013 second round pick as part of the Kubina trade; Stevie Y. gets to pick the year.

Here is how the Twitterverse reacted:

Pierre LeBrun: “Lots of picks for Tampa to try for a goalie come the off-season, keep that in mind . . .”

Andy Strickland: “Kyle Quincey is an underrated D-man... proved to be a good partner for Erik Johnson who has been playing his best hockey the last 25 games.”

Craig Custance: “By trading for RFA defenseman rather than rental, Red Wings in better shape if Brad Stuart leaves on July 1 to head back west.”

Bob McKenzie: “DET likes/knows Quincey, former Wing. Good insurance if Brad Stuart goes to UFA or Lidstrom retires, tho many in DET think Nick comes back.”

James Mirtle: “Guess I shouldn't have bought that Lightning jersey with Quincey on the back . . .”

Kevin Paul Dupont: “At rate Yzerman is making deals, must make Shanny-like video to explain details, reveal plot lines, hint at next move(s). Appt TV.”

James Mirtle: “Holland on Quincey: ‘We know him very well as we drafted him in 2003, helped him mature into an NHL player and watched his career develop.’”