Most people, including myself, were yelling from the rafters to acquire a Defensemen just before the deadline, and we saw the consequence of it in the Playoffs. Again, the lack of cap space is where Tampa can struggle if looking to re-sign RFA’s that could see bigger offers like Colton and Jeannot. Veterans Alex Killorn, Corey Perry, Ian Cole and others are all hitting unrestricted free agency how much can the Lightning afford to lose while embracing the new influx of players? It’s a tough questions to answer this offseason. The first priority will be figuring out how to get more - or maximizing what they have. In July 2021, Tampa traded the 2nd RD pick and Tyler Johnson to acquire Bret Seabrook, who will retire after his contract expires at the end of next season never stepping on the ice in a Lightning jersey.Ģ024’s draft doesn’t look too great either, with the 1st RD pick gone from the Hagel trade and the 2nd RD pick also gone from the Jeannot trade.Įven in the 2025 draft, Tampa will be missing their 1st RD pick, ALSO part of the Jeannot trade (though it is conditional). Tampa had already lost their 1st RD pick in March 2022 acquiring Hagel from the Blackhawks. This is largely due to moving Cal Foote in the trade to acquire Tanner Jeannot in February 2023 for this year’s third, fourth and fifth-round pick and more picks in later years. While the Jeannot trade will now largely depend on how his RFA lands, Hagel is shaping up to be a great acquisition and played a key role during the regular season and the Playoffs.įor the 2023 Draft, Tampa only has one 6th RD pick and two 7th RD picks. The Jeannot and Hagel trades clearly have impacts on this offseason. JBB won’t have many options to fill immediate holes with draft picks. There is also the issue of Tampa retaining $1.25m of Namestnikov’s salary as part of the trade with the San Jose Sharks to acquire Right Winger Eyssimont for $0.75M earlier in the season. Those players account for $53.375m in salary cap, taking up ~65% of the cap. Stamkos ($8.5m), Sergachev ($8.5m), and Headman ($7.875m) are closely behind. The biggest Cap hits come from Vasy, Kuch, and Point, all at $9.5m a piece. There is a reason JBB wasn’t too active during the trade deadline and expect this offseason to probably be the same. It’s a bleak outlook for trying to retune the Lightning for another deep Playoff run in upcoming years. Right now, Tampa is looking at $89,618,491 Final Cap Hit with $7,118,491 in LTRI used, and a whopping $0 in Final Cap Space. Given the extra recuperation time players will have this offseason, it's not hard to imagine Tampa as a top-flight contender.Ĭap space management is key in the NHL, one JBB and the Lightning know all too well how to finesse, but this year looks to be a tough one. Even with that, expect the Lightning will be back in the playoff mix next season. JBB doesn’t have many options in retooling the roster outside a big trade. But what will be in store for the Tampa Bay Lighting in the offseason for 2023-2024? Here is my personal, and 100% biased, early analysis and outlook:Ĭap space issues and lack of draft picks will roar its ugly head this offseason, especially when Tampa will likely have to replace key veterans set to hit the Unrestricted Free Agency (Killorn, Perry, Cole). He was the longest-tenured Denver athlete and won the Stanley Cup in 2022.Ĭlick here for all 32 NHL Subreddits Divisionĭespite the Bolts faltering in the Playoffs last night, it’s never too early to get excited about next season. r/hockey stands with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ NHLġ) - And just like that, Oscar Klefbom becomes the first Edmonton Oiler to play his full career with the club.ģ) - Thank you Joel Edmundson! Good luck in Washington!Ĥ) - Erik Johnson signs with Buffalo for one-year, $3.25 million.
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