The Tampa Bay Lightning have freed up cap space in the hopes of signing a big-name free agent, even if it's not Steven Stamkos. Either way, these moves point in one clear direction.
Updated (June 30, 11:30 a.m. ET): Give Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien Brisebois his due – he’s not going to let his team sink into playoff-outsider status without a fight.
First, BriseBois traded star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Utah Saturday in exchange for forward Conor Geekie, defenseman J.J. Moser, a second-round draft pick in 2025 and a seventh-rounder in this year’s draft.
Then, BriseBois continued to shed salary by dealing winger Tanner Jeannot to the Los Angeles Kings in return for a fourth-round pick this season and a second-rounder in 2025.
Moving out Sergachev and Jeannot freed up more than $11 million in cap space.
Where the Lightning will spend that extra money is anyone's guess. But it appears that it won't be on Tampa Bay's longtime captain.
"As of now, we've both agreed to get to July 1. It doesn't mean we can circle back to one another," said GM Julien BriseBois. "My response was to see what's best for the Lightning organization. And Stephen has to do what's best for him his career and his family.”
Tampa Bay may have already moved on to top free agent Jake Guentzel, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently speculated. The Lightning acquired his signing rights from the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
Veteran defenseman Victor Hedman also needs a new contract this coming season. Moser, who will immediately be an important part of the Bolts’ blueline, is also a pending RFA Moser.
BriseBois’ back was against the wall heading toward the start of free agency, but he made a calculated gamble Saturday by jettisoning Sergachev (still a real steal Utah), and he got out from under the remaining year on Jeannot’s deal. That’s some well-done hard work from BriseBois.
While there’s still a chance it doesn’t work out to his liking, BriseBois can hold his head high for making these bold moves and attempting to extend the Lightning’s current place in the competitive cycle.
At this point, if Stamkos does move on to another team as a UFA, it’ll probably be about more than just money for the veteran star.
BriseBois moved a lot to keep a cornerstone component in Stamkos in a Lightning jersey if the captain wants to stay. There’s risk involved with all the moves BriseBois made, but you don’t win two Stanley Cups in relatively rapid succession unless you’re prepared to make big swings at the plate.
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