Tampa Bay: Let’s Make A Deal

By Johnny Gianfrancesco

The trade deadline is upon us and the Tampa Bay Lightning are among the many teams believed to be very active. In an up and down season, a disappointing one, the Lightning may look to shed some salaries and re-tool for next season. Many fans want Yzerman to work towards a push as they think this season can still be salvaged. I for one think this season can still be saved, however, I like to think we will be a contending hockey team for years to come. Unfortunately, that means having to make deals that aren’t always easy and having to say goodbye to some players that are fan favorites and have wiggled themselves free of the “untouchable core” title. Whatever happens, I’m confident in Steve Yzerman however, I’m also very happy I am NOT the Lightning general manager. There are many directions for Stevie Y to go in and we will have to wait and see which path he takes.

Potential trades:

Yzerman has many veterans on not-so-helpful contracts. When signed or traded for, these vets played a key role in the organization. Leadership and experience coupled with good decision makings have made Yzerman look like a wizard in his dealings. As we’ve all seen, though, great players become good and good players become role players. Sometimes when your role is no longer need, you are traded and/or bought out. Like the dynasty Blackhawks, you need to keep changing your bottom 6 in order to maintain a winning core. This means different 3rd and 4th lines and different defensive pairings. If you maintain your core, you have a chance every year. This could mean parting ways with grade A players in order to keep your A+ players, (ie. Brandon Saad). Bowman showed us how to do it, now it’s Yzerman’s turn.

• Tyler Johnson, RFA in 2017-2018, cap hit of $3,333,333 

Many people want the Triplets to remain in Tampa for a very long time. I am one of them. I also am a realist however and I know that you are going to keep a solid two-way forward and rising superstar over a 1-year wonder center. Tyler Johnson has done some magical things in a Lightning sweater but his time on Channelside Drive may have expired. The Predators and Lightning have been scouting each other a lot this season. Preds need a Top 6 forward and the Lightning could use a solid Top 4 defensemen. Preds have many good d-men and Johnson seems to be an odd man out with all the RFAs Tampa has to deal with at the season’s end. Another destination could be Anaheim. All the young right handed shots on defense must have Yzerman salivating at a possible swap. Sami Vatanen, Shea Theodore, and Brandon Montour are all possibilities.

• Brian Boyle, UFA in 2017-2018, cap hit of $2,000,000

Boyle is a big center who can kill penalties and help you score on them as well. His physical presence and experience is what all teams want. Teams like Edmonton and Toronto have expressed interest in the playoff-seasoned vet. It’s rumored that Yzerman is asking a 2017 1st round pick for Boyle. Despite being a bubble team, Boyle has expressed his want to stay in Tampa and finish the “mission”. No one wants to see him go but Boyle is highly sought after by teams that are gearing up for a postseason run.

• Ben Bishop, UFA in 2017-2018, cap hit of $5,950,000

When Yzerman signed 22-year-old goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a 3-year extension in the offseason it was evident that Bishop was probably playing his last year in Tampa. With an expansion draft looming in the distance and the Bolts are under performing this year, Yzerman may want to cash in on his former Vezina finalist. Losing Bishop for nothing to free agency is NOT a plan of Yzerman’s. That being said, a Ben Bishop in form could garner a lot from another GM. The only conflict is that Bishop has been the better goalie of late, having won 5 straight starts, and with the season not totally done for, trading Bishop won’t help the Lightning’s playoff chances. His predecessor, Vasilevskiy, has won a Stanley Cup Final game and forced the Penguins to Game 7 last year, but he hasn’t performed as well as many would have hoped this season. The Blues and Kings have expressed interest in the 6 ft 7 goalie and many think Bishop will have a new home when the deadline clock strikes zero.

Other names that could be on the move are Jason Garrison & Valtteri Filppula.

With a NTC for Garrison and a modified MNC for Filppula, it’s going to be tough for Yzerman to move those two. Garrison carries a cap hit of $4,600,000 and Filppula has a cap hit of $5,000,000. It will be interesting to see what Yzerman does but I expect him to be active this deadline as not only for a playoff push, so to speak; but also as a roster re-tool for a cap restricted team.

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February 26th, 2017