Stamkos speaks with media following 5-1 loss to Rangers The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a big decision to make at the end of the season. Captain Steven Stamkos has an expiring contract and will hit free agency if he does not get a new deal. When looking at how well he has played this season (38 points in 39 games) and his overall importance to the franchise, a new contract is quite possible. Yet, when noting that the Bolts are entering next season with just $6.686 million of cap space, they will need to free up cap space if Stamkos is not willing to take a big discount. Steven Stamkos. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzNDU0MTU3NDY4NzM4OTA4/usatsi_22122100_168401874_lowres.jpg] Steven Stamkos. Let's discuss a few players who could be dealt for this very reason now. ANTHONY CIRELLI Anthony Cirelli is one Lightning player to keep an eye on in this scenario. Although he is in the first season of his eight-year, $50 million contract, he has no trade protection until the end of the 2025-26 season. Once we hit 2026-27, that changes to a full no-trade clause. As a result, between now and then, it would be the time to move him. Anthony Cirelli [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNzIxMjA3OTU4MDIxOTA4/usatsi_21705547.jpg] Anthony Cirelli Cirelli has also struggled to produce offensively this season. In 41 games, he has just eight goals and nine assists. This could also make the Lightning more open to dealing him if it means keeping Stamkos around. TANNER JEANNOT Another Lightning player who could be moved to free up much-needed cap space is Tanner Jeannot. The gritty winger carries a $2.665 million cap hit until the end of next season, and his 16-team no-trade list does not kick in until next season. Tanner Jeannot [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzMDczNjY4NDYzNDcwMTQ3/usatsi_20185600.jpg] Tanner Jeannot While the Lightning gave up a lot to add Jeannot, his cap hit is quite expensive for a bottom-six forward, so that could make him expendable. With that, he has struggled a bit this season, posting six goals and six assists in his first 41 games. Conor Sheary ($2 million cap hit) could also be a player who the Lightning look to move, but he currently has a full no-trade clause. It does, however, change to a 16-team trade list for the 2024-25 season. RECENT LIGHTNING STORIES Related: 5 Players You Didn't Know the Lightning Drafted [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/news/5-players-you-didnt-know-the-lightning-drafted] Related: USA Wins Gold Thanks to Lightning Prospect [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/news/usa-wins-gold-thanks-to-lightning-prospect] Related: Key Lightning Defenseman Returns to Practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/news/key-lightning-defenseman-returns-to-practice] Related: Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Updates: Cernak Expected to Return vs Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/news/controversial-former-flyers-defenseman-returns]
