Insider Reveals Top 3 Lightning Defense Trade Targets
With Noah Hanifin off the board, the Lightning now have other options.
The Tampa Bay Lightning missed out on Noah Hanifin, as the star defenseman was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. While it stings that Hanifin is off the board, the Lightning still have other defense options that they could consider.
The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta listed Jakob Chychrun (Ottawa Senators), Ivan Provorov (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Marcus Pettersson (Pittsburgh Penguins) as top options for the Lightning.
The Lightning have expressed interest in Chychrun in recent days, and it is understandable. Like Hanifin, he is a legitimate top-pairing defenseman who plays well defensively and contributes offensively. Because of this, he would be a massive addition to Tampa Bay's roster.
Chychrun, 25, carries a $4.6 million cap hit until the end of next season. In 60 games this season, he has nine goals to go along with 31 points.
Provorov has been being shopped by the Blue Jackets in recent weeks, and it is not all that surprising, given their placement in the standings. While he is not a top-pairing defenseman, he is an impactful top-four defenseman who provides a bit of offense.
Provorov, 27, has five goals and 27 points in 62 games played this season. He is under contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, carrying a $4.725 million cap hit.
As for Pettersson, he is another quality top-four defenseman. He is well-known for his highly reliable defensive play and physicality. In 60 games this season, he has three goals, 24 points, 74 hits, and a plus-20 rating.
The Penguins are not believed to be actively shopping Pettersson, but they are willing to listen to offers for most of their roster. Thus, Tampa would be wise to call them about the 6-foot-3 defenseman.
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