It seems like the Tampa Bay Lightning are open for business as the 2026 Trade Deadline rapidly approaches.
David Pagnotta joined Jeff Marek on "The Sheet" Friday, and had a lot of information regarding the Lightning.
"It seems like right [defense] is what they're looking at," Pagnotta said. "They've poked around on some options up front in terms of mid-to-bottom six." He did specify though, if the Lightning are going to make a big addition to their roster, they're looking for someone with term rather than a rental.
There are quite a few players on the market fitting that criteria, however it'll be difficult to make it work given how tight the Lightning are to the salary cap.
The best value on the market salary wise will likely be Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames. He was traded from Vegas to Calgary in mid-January, but it's very possible that the Flames look to move on from the 28-year-old if the price is right. He is under contract until 2027-28 and could easily handle a second pairing role for the Lightning with his shutdown style of play.
Veteran defenseman Tyler Myers would be another affordable option, but given his age and Vancouver's struggles this season, there's certainly some risk in acquiring him. He's under contract through 2026-27 with a cap hit of $3 million.
Other right-handed defensemen that fit Pagnotta's suggested criteria include Justin Faulk, Dougie Hamilton, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Mackenzie Weegar, but there is certainly a much bigger cap hit associated with each of those players which would make a deal very difficult.
Forward wise, there are quite a few players who the Lightning could target for a bottom-six role. Players like Blake Coleman, Charlie Coyle, Andrew Magniapane, Warren Foegele or Scott Laughton could make sense, but some of them have fairly high cap hits and others don't have the term that Julien BriseBois is apparently looking for.
Pagnotta then mentioned that Lightning prospect Sam O'Reilly is on the market in a potential trade if it meets what BriseBois is looking for.