After watching their cross-state rival Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups, the Tampa Bay Lightning want to do everything possible to make sure it’s not a Threepeat. (Is Pat Riley receiving a buck every time that’s used?) So, they will be a team on a mission and one to keep an eye on this offseason, especially since an eye (without the rest of the body) may be all they can afford during the offseason.
With Spending Tight, a Look Ahead at the Tampa Bay Lightning Offseason
Looking at this past season, a sane hockey fan (is that an oxymoron?) would think finishing second in the NHL’s Atlantic Division meant bigger things than a first-round exit to the Florida Panthers, like last year. Well, the Lightning groundhog didn’t see its shadow and didn’t give them six-more weeks of spring. The Lightning were once again bounced in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by their in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers.
Roster Holes and Cap Realities
Now, as the offseason begins, Tampa enters a challenging period with around $3.5 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. That leaves general manager Julien BriseBois with limited flexibility, meaning the Lightning roster in 2025–26 might look much the same as last year’s.
They may not have the bank open for them, but they also don’t have a lot of pressing needs. They are still a strong team that will contend for the division and look to go deeper in the playoffs than the Panthers allowed them to traverse these last two years. Where their flaws become evident is in the depth of their lines. Lines 1 and 2? No problem. Lines 3 and 4? Houston, we have a problem. And we don’t have a team in Houston. Florida can run three strong lines at you. The fourth is no group of slouches.
As far as who regressed and who can show progress next season, let’s start with the man, the myth, the money maker Nikita Kucherov. He followed his 2023-34 season (44 goals, 100 assists, for 144 points) by posting 37/84/121, maintaining his status as one of the top playmakers in the league. Will he do that again? Probably not. Will he still be the best player on the team? Hey, why not?
Now, as for can hopefully show progress next year, Andrei Vasilevskiy. His .900 save percentage dipped below his career norm. However, he was coming off wrist surgery and playing behind a thin defence. In any case, Vasy didn’t bounce back as strongly as hoped. With the right defensive tweaks, he can get back to form.
The Deep
The Lightning also has no answers to injuries wrecking their game plan. i.e., they lack depth. Tampa had a laundry list of banged-up players after just one playoff round. That’s not sustainable. Depth is needed, and that is even if it’s the clearance-rack kind.
Can BriseBois find low-cost grinders, sneaky veterans, or a surprise breakout to plug those holes? Can they find the right minute eaters for a bargain? Maybe catch “Lightning” in a bottle and revive some careers, if not for just next season? Maybe. There are signs that Tampa will look at aggressive options to restyle this roster, even if it means tough decisions.
With limited cap space, no obvious way to offload contracts, and a top-heavy roster, Tampa Bay faces a tricky offseason. They faced it last year with the loss of captain Steven Stamkos, but still made a strong run through the season before coming face to face with their mean step-brothers in Sunrise. Whether they can plug holes or simply run it back remains the key question heading into 2025–26.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The post Limited Cap Space Make for Tough Decisions in Tampa Bay Lightning Offseason appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.