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.
2. Tyler Johnson
Cap hit: $5 million
Length: 4 more years
Clauses: Full no-trade clause
Much like Gourde, Tyler Johnson played an underrated role this season. After putting up 31 points in 65 games during the regular season (the lowest total of his career during a full season), he had seven points in 25 playoff games.
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Johnson’s probably the player Tampa would like to get rid of. Unfortunately, Steve Yzerman gave him a full no-trade clause back in 2017. While it does switch to a modified NTC after the 2020-21 season, the Lightning would really benefit from getting his $5 million off the books.
At 30 years old, Johnson’s not getting any younger. And his full no-trade clause gives him all the leverage. Again, if he doesn’t want to go anywhere, he’s not going anywhere. Especially since it doesn’t sound like the Lightning are going to buy anyone out.
Johnson’s been a consistent and solid player for Tampa for years. Yet another one of their undrafted free agent success stories. He’s someone the locker room loves and he’s merely one season removed from putting up 47 points. But at the end of the day, the Lightning need to clear cap space and Johnson’s a logical candidate.
That NTC will probably save him. Or at least make it so Johnson can pick where he goes. But we’ve probably seen Johnson play his last game in Tampa.
1. Alex Killorn
Cap hit: $4.45 million
Years Left: 3
Clauses: Modified NTC (16-team trade list)
Alex Killorn isn’t someone the Tampa Bay Lightning want to trade, but ultimately, he’s the most likely option. That’s because he’s the only one of the major trade options who doesn’t have a full NMC or NTC. Killorn’s modified NTC will still make it somewhat difficult to trade him, but at least he’s still a very productive and useful player.
Killorn’s coming off a career-best season. He set career highs in points (49) and goals (29) during the regular season despite only playing in 68 games. During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Killorn provided many big moments, putting up 10 points in 24 games. His impact went far beyond the stat sheet as well.
$4.45 million is perfectly reasonable for a top-six forward like Killorn. He’s a lot like J.T. Miller, who the Lightning were able to move for a first-round pick last summer. Killorn and his agent can probably make it next to impossible to move him, but even then, the Bolts could simply attach a late-round pick and make a trade more feasible.
Next. Top 5 Trade Candidates This Offseason. dark
He’s had a heck of a career in Tampa and has always been underrated. But it would shock me if Killorn hasn’t played his last game as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.