Tampa Bay Lightning: 3 players they should trade after Stanley Cup win
After winning the Stanley Cup, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a lot of work to do. These three players might need to be traded.
The Tampa Bay Lightning should celebrate their Stanley Cup win. They overcame a lot of adversity and heartbreak to reach the top of the NHL’s mountain. Their players will forever be known as Stanley Cup champions. However, the party won’t last for long, at least not for the front office.
This unprecedented postseason will lead to an unprecedented offseason. The Lightning were definitely hit hard by the news of the $81.5 million salary cap ceiling remaining flat. They were clearly operating under the assumption that it would increase. But it didn’t, so now the Lightning are going to have to clear some cap space.
Currently, the Lightning have $5,333,334 of cap space with 15 players signed. They have to find money to re-sign key restricted free agents Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak. Keeping at least two of them (probably the first two) is absolutely necessary if the Lightning want to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
The salary cap is cruel and evil. This Lightning team deserves to stick together. But unfortunately, they’ll have to part with some players they usually wouldn’t want to part with. Let’s take a look at three players who the Lightning might have to trade.
3. Yanni Gourde
Cap hit: $5.166 million
Length: 5 more years
Clauses: Full no-trade clause
Yanni Gourde was an underrated part of the Lightning this season. He took on a lesser role, but remained very productive and efficient. Gourde was a huge part of their third line, which dominated during the postseason.
After putting up 30 points in 70 games during the regular season, he was outstanding in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, putting up 14 points in 25 games with a plus-minus rating of +12.
Unfortunately, as good as Gourde is, it’s pretty hard to justify his $5.166 million cap hit. Other teams, however, would love to have him. It should be noted getting anything for Gourde should be considered a win. They gave up literally nothing to sign him, as they got him as an undrafted free agent.
Of course, Gourde has a full no-trade clause, so if he doesn’t want to go anywhere, he won’t. He’s probably a last resort option for them as far as trade candidates go.