Details to come but the Lightning has acquired the negotiating rights to Wild forward Brian Rolston for a conditional draft choice. Rolston, 35, has three consecutive 30-goal seasons, 96 goals total., and on Tuesday can become an unrestricted free agent free to sign with any team.

In its simplest form, the Lightning traded a third-round pick in 2010 for Rolston, but the compensation could become either a third- or fourth-round pick in 2009 based on several factors. See if you can follw this:

(a) If at any time before the commencement of the 2009 Entry Draft Tampa Bay acquires a fourth round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, Tampa Bay shall assign that fourth round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft to Minnesota in return for Tampa Bay’s own 3rd round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.

(b) If Tampa Bay signs Brian Rolston for any portion of the 2008-2009 NHL season, and the transfer described in paragraph (a) above has occurred, the Wild shall return the fourth round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft from paragraph (a) to Tampa Bay, and Tampa Bay shall transfer to the Wild the option of:

(i) San Jose’s third round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft (currently held by Tampa Bay), or

(ii) Tampa Bay’s own third round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft

The option shall be exercised by the Wild, at the latest, when Tampa Bay’s turn to exercise San Jose’s third round.