The future of Steven Stamkos with the Tampa Bay Lightning remains a hot topic in the NHL media landscape. As the captain of the Lightning, Stamkos is in the final year of his eight-year contract, which carries an $8.5 million annual cap hit. With contract negotiations looming, fans are eager to see how the organization will navigate the salary cap to accommodate a new
The Curr
Entering training camp last September, Stamkos expressed his disappointment over the lack of extension talks with General Manager Julien BriseBois. Both parties agreed to postpone discussions until the end of the season. After the Lightning’s playoff elimination, BriseBois indicated that negotiations had started, while Stamkos conveyed his relief and excitement about the process. Despite this initial optimism, little has emerged regarding.
Navigating the Salary Cap
As the Lightning look to re-sign Stamkos, the challenge of freeing up salary cap space looms large. The team is currently in a tight financial situation, which raises questions about which players may become cap casualties in the pursuit of a new contract for their captain.
The McDonagh Trade Surprise
Recent developments have added complexity to this scenario. BriseBois made headlines by reacquiring Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators. Two years ago, he had traded McDonagh to Nashville to alleviate the $6.75 million cap hit from the Lightning’s books. By bringing him back, BriseBois has taken on the full value of McDonagh’s remaining two-year contract, raising further questions about the Lightning’s cap strategy moving forward.
Potential Trade Candidates
In the aftermath of the McDonagh trade, several players have been identified as potential trade candidates to help clear cap space. The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa highlighted defenseman Erik Cernak, center Anthony Cirelli, and winger Tanner Jeannot as players who could be moved. Additionally, he mentioned Conor Sheary as another option.
Erik Cernak and Anthony Cirelli: Core Players
Cernak and Cirelli are integral to the Lightning’s core and would be difficult to replace if traded. Cernak is known for his strong defensive play, while Cirelli provides valuable two-way contributions. Moving either player would not only impact the team’s performance but could also be met with backlash from fans who appreciate their contributions.
Tanner Jeannot: A Possible Expendable Option
Tanner Jeannot, however, could be viewed as more expendable. Acquired at last year’s trade deadline, Jeannot struggled to find his footing as a checking-line winger this season. As a result, discussions have emerged about his potential as a trade target. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek have mentioned Jeannot in relation to the Calgary Flames, with Marek suggesting he could be a beneficial addition to their roster. Michael Augello has also pointed to the Buffalo Sabres as a potential destination for Jeannot.
Complications in Trading Jeannot
While Jeannot has an affordable cap hit of $2.665 million for the next season, his contract includes a 16-team no-trade list. This provision gives him some control over his future, complicating the Lightning’s efforts to move him during the summer trade market.
As the Tampa Bay Lightning look to navigate the complexities of the salary cap, the path to re-signing Steven Stamkos becomes increasingly challenging. The recent reacquisition of Ryan McDonagh adds another layer to the cap situation, and the team will need to make difficult decisions regarding potential trades. Whether they can successfully create the necessary cap space to secure Stamkos’s future in Tampa remains to be seen. As fans await further developments, the spotlight will be on the front office to make strategic moves that balance the team’s immediate needs with long-term success.
