The Tampa Bay Lightning Have Gotten Worse

The NHL off-season has only been in session for a week and yet one team that has undergone a major shake-up is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since the NHL Draft on Friday night, the Lightning moved on from two key members of their championship runs in 2021, and 2022. Tampa Bay traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for d-man Janis Moser, prospect Conor Geekie, and two draft picks. Trading Sergachev was seen as a necessary move to get off salary as the team begins their re-tool after two consecutive first-round exits in the post-season.

It was expected that some of that newfound cap was going to be used to get a deal done with long-time captain Steven Stamkos who stated on many occasions that he wanted to find a way to finish his career with the only franchise he has ever played for. Instead, the Lightning decided to pursue winger Jake Guentzel and inked him to a 7-year 63 million dollar (9M AAV), and let Stamkos, the best player in franchise history hit the open market where he signed a deal with the Nashville Predators.

If you look at it straight up for their roster next season, the Lightning have swapped out, Steven Stamkos, Mikhail Sergachev, and winger Tanner Jennaot who was disappointing for the Bolts the last two seasons in exchange for Jake Guentzel, and Janis Moser. Conor Geike is a good prospect for Tampa but he will likely not be helping the core players of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman chase another cup anytime soon.

This is no longer the perennial cup contender that appeared in three straight Stanley Cup finals from 2020-22. Although they should be competing for a spot in the tournament, I don't see any more titles within this team's immediate future.