You don’t know your hockey.

I Think the McDonagh trade was good and bad. Glade we got him back, but JBB should have made them take some of his salary. Don’t know how many GM’s would have taken his whole salary. To many Questions on this team to make the playoffs and get to the second round. If Sherry if Cam if Cernak…… I thing we still need YOUNG 20 goal winger. We will see.

wish we kept Verhague, but we won b2b and went to a 3rd final so who tf cares

You know I'm kind of shocked that the Tampa Bay lightning cannot get a long-term contract extension done with Steven stamkos now who's going to be our new captain I don't even know going to be 77 or somebody like that I don't even know.? @denkyd8nk

Gotta say adam I’m excited about this team. Our bottom six are better than last year imo. We added some youth and skill.

There will be no more acquisitions or exchanges before the deadline

There will be no more acquisitions or exchanges before the deadline

Dealing 1st-round picks is like running up a credit card. Eventually it catches up with you

I had never heard of Jake Guentzel until the Lightning signed him ? On the NHL website, he is ranked #32 of of 900 players ? Obviously, he is not a bust but an upper 5% class player. I had no ideal . 2nd highest scorer on Caroline ?Hmm ? Stamkos was ranked 25th this year with Kucherov ranked #1 and Brayden Point ranked 16th . Now the lightning had a defensively weak year and even Braden Point had a -16 , and Kucherov had a +8. Of interest, Stamkos had a -21 ? By comparison, Guenzel had a +25 ? BB gave this guy a big contract and he is only 29. I had trouble trying to figure out why they couldn't re-sign Stamkos, the age and the difference in defensive potential, or lack of it, may have been one of the factors. What we will probably never know is exactly how much Stamkos was offered and only irresponsible speculation will unfortunately be posted by irresponsible press releases'. What we do know is that amount was not enough for Stamkos. Sad

I know it’s Herman that should be it but don’t you need some that is out spoke that will bring morale to the team so I would say maybe hagel ?

I agree that Hedman is 99.9% getting the C, but outside of him I think an interesting wildcard is Nick Paul. I can’t really explain why, he just feels like one of those guys like Adam Lowry in Winnipeg who get named captain sometimes without being a superstar.

For basically all of the reasons you pointed out I’m not super high on a Vetrano trade unless it’s way cheaper than the rumoured one, like maybe a 2nd and 3rd kind of thing. Zegras on the other hand I see as a much better fit. With Stamkos gone the team has to decide on how to set the culture for the next era (more of the same is an option too). Zegras would fit perfectly with Kucherov and Howard into building an identity with a lot of swagger and that intrigues me. The problem with a Zegras trade is that lots of teams are rumoured to be in on him, team like Montreal that will easily be able to outbid Tampa in any trade around futures. Which means that Tampa would have to frame a Zegras trade around a proven roster player to make it work and the only one I think makes much sense for Anaheim is Hagel, which hurts. So my question is would you be comfortable with a package that includes Hagel from Tampa going to Anaheim for a package that includes Zegras and maybe Vetrano as well?

To be the captain, you gotta give it to a guy that has been in the locker room which has been in Tampa for a long time and is an impact player. Clearly, Hedman's the favorite to become captain and I think that's what's gonna happen. But I've heard people saying maybe Kucherov. Kucherov is not the ultimate leader you want in a locker room. NHL all star last year. I thought it was funny but it was not a captain move there and it happens once in a while with Kuch. I think Point is very low profile on this team, I don't know that he could live up to the expectations. If there's a second choice, I would do what the Canucks did with Luongo and give the C to Vasylevskiy. It's the only guy I could see bearing the C aside from Hedman

We may consider Seth Jarvis or Martin Necas as acquisitions/exchanges)

That may be too much pressure for Hedman to have to deal with media who will dog the Stamkos thing for first 3 months at least! MacDonaugh and Point should handle media. Victor too close to Stamkos. Also Nick Paul is really good with media.

Four years of 1st round picks for both. But the Lightning would contend for the next 4 years. Worth it. Hagel turned out good.

The Ducks don't need a defenseman. Not enough to give up Vatrano, and you're right, why would Tampa trade for a guy that will be a UFA next year with no guarantees? I see Vatrano as somewhat of a Stamkos in the fact that he is a sniper. He doesnt provide the assists that Stamkos does, but he is a pure goal scorer. It's not going to happen. The Ducks would be stupid to get rid of Zegras too. They are a very young talented team. He is popular on the team and with the fans. And what would the Lightning offer for Vatrano and Zegras? A defenseman they don't need and draft picks? The Ducks have plenty of draft picks and the most cap space in the league. Let's not forget the Ducks made an offer for Stamkos. The Ducks are in a great postion with young talent, amoung the best in the league, if not the best, plenty of draft picks in the next few years, and the most cap space in the NHL. The Zegras rumors have been nonstop all year, and he's still a Duck. I hope it stays that way.

lol so the ducks are being asked to pay Vatrano and Zegras to not play for them, in exchange for some mid prospects and a 2nd and 4th? Cmon bro you guys aren’t even trying to be reasonable or realistic. Like you said, it would be an absolute steal for TBL. When has Verbeek gotten abused like this ever?

Also if you’re worth 100k a year why would you entertain making 30k a year. Put that into perspective and you would laugh at whoever offered that out of the room

To offer a guy 40% of his open market value is a huuuuge insult. To consider a 40 goal scorer would take anything less than 5.5(even at that aav is still very very low) he was never treated as good as the other stars in Tampa bay. On the other side, I think it was good to walk away from him to keep their window open for maybe another 2-3 years longer

Im a Ranger fan and truthfully: That makes no freakin sense. Good thing this guys not your g.m. 🏒🍸

Verbeek has stated on a couple of occasions that he is not actively shopping Zegras. If other teams are calling for his asking price, he picks up the phone because that’s his job. If Zegras gets traded, it will take a considerable haul even at this time. (Which I personally don’t think the bolts are willing to part with) Verbeek also isn’t retaining a cent on that contract. Mans negotiates like John Q with his own players, so I doubt he budges if he deals Zegras.

I appreciate your Cirelli love, and I’m by no means an AC hat. i think AC is at his ceiling as a 20/35/55 pt guy. He is a Selke shut-down Center, and therefore should stay in top 6, but not as 1C. I’d actually love to see him moved down to 3c a few years down the road and once Geekie comes, into his own, as he should have higher offensive upside then Zac. Hopefully he has enough D awareness to move AC to 3C, moving Paul out to 3LW and then we build that Championship level 3rd line again! Last year, from the 3C position, N. Paul got 17:15 ice time per game, compared to Cirelli (2C), who got 18:31. We are talking about 1 min per game. 3rd line Centers are really considered part of the top 6 core, more than they are “depth pieces”Ike the remainder of the B6. The Boots especially, have typically invested more resources in that position then they do on their 2nd line 2 winger (typically RW on our squad). So it’s not an Edmonton, as much as a line dedicated to shut down D to play other teams top line. That should be AC’s top job!

Zegras is all empty stats playing on the first line and power play of an awful team where winning and competing don't matter. I don't see the value in him unless the Ducks are basically giving him away.

Headline: they don't.

I think that not keeping Stamkos is tragic , to be honest. I have read by Eric Ericsson that the amount offered was 3 million? doesn't sound credible. Here is the thing . We will never know exactly that amount really was and it will be kept under raps unless Stamkos of JB tells us. Any other amount that you hear is just someone making it up. What we do know it that it was not enough for Stamkos. Just a wild guess, I could have seen it as being about 6 mil. and I will guess Stamkos ego would not take that. Now I do understand his point. He is a 40 goal scorer, a captain , a leader and certainly one of the very, very best players on and off the ice for the lightning and the NHL for that matter. I can see why he fells his is worth more and he is. The problem is the Lightning have other top players that are taking up all the cap space. So he will make about the same in Nashville, minus being able to live here. being a part of a team he built, playing with players he is very connected to, etc, etc, etc. At 8 million a year for 8 years, he has to have plenty of money unless he was M C Hammer,. For an extra 1 1/2 million a year, given the cost of living being cheaper here. etc, I think he should have stayed here. If he only got a million a year like a few other players have done to finish their careers, he still would have a rich mans fortune to live on. After you have 40 or 50 million dollars, doesn't the quality of life factor in ? I know I would have considered the lightning gave me a huge salary and an ideal team to play for and I think he should have paid it back. My take.

I think Tampa has 11 NHL forward players with which we are comfortable: Kucherov - Point - Guentzel Hagel - Cirelli - Paul Eyssimont - ??? - Atkinson Girgensons - Glendening - Chaffee I see Nick Paul playing on the 2nd line and there's one open spot on the 3rd line. This one is up for grab and I think it's between Sheary, Goncalves, Groshev and Geekie. May the guy that plays the best jump into the lineup 😀 I don't think we necessarily need another addition, I would be fine if we started the season with this group. Hedman McDonagh Moser and Raddysh I think are gonna have a steady place in the Lightning. Cernak needs to be more constant and stay healthy. Perbix Crozier and Lilleberg will fight all season for the sixth spot. I would start with this lineup though and look how it's turning out Hedman Raddysh McDonagh Cernak Moser Perbix

Nikita Zaitsev is the worst take on this show

Let's find a way to move Shery's contract

I'd see is I could unload Shery in the deal somehow, especially if you end up getting Zegres and his cap hit into the conversation, I'm okay in theory to a trade that swaps Vatrano for Perbix/EG as the base of the package. Not sure what we'd have to give up for Zegres, without a Cenak/Gudas swap being part of the arrangement, with Ana haolding onto some of Gudas cap hit.

Guess what you’re not getting either Zegras or Vatrano. Why would Anaheim trade their best players while we are trying to develop them to break out of the rebuild.

Super!

Cirelli's effort lvl has for the most part, always covered whatever was lacking in his game from a development/technical stand point. Ready for the 1st line with Pointer & Kuch....that Idk about, but Guentzel's effort lvl has always been on par with his talent lvl which has also never been lacking so, imo, pair what is undeniably ur two best effort guys in Cirelli and Hags with Guentzel and put a line out on the ice that will literally have it's opposing line's legs spent by the start of 2nd intermission.

Hypothetial Zegras Trade: TBL Receives: Trevor Zegras(50% retained) ANA Receives: Ethan Gauthier Nick Perbix 2026 1st Later of the 2025 2nds 2025 7th I know this is a massive gamble and overpay but its gonna be what it takes to get Zegras and be under the cap, hence why it is unrealistic. Also this only happens if Sheary is traded our lines could be Guentzel - Point - Kucherov Hagel - Cirelli - Zegras Eyssimont - Paul - Atkinson Girgensons - Glendenning - Ylonen Note: Zegras provides a level a play making the 2nd line hasn't seen before, may contribute to Cirelli finally reaching 50 points or if prospects moves up Atkinson - Point - Kucherov Hagel - Zegras - Guentzel Paul - Geekie - Cirelli Girgensons - Glendenning - Eyssimont Note: 1. first line has shown they don't need a top guy to produce(Sheary, ABB), Atkinson should be fine the only concern is age 2. second and third lines can help Zegras and Geekie perform without being defensive burdens, adds great depth

Tired of hearing so much negativity re: Briesbois, Lightning and Vinik. Stammer toast of Nashville, good for him. Can we start a market blitz for our new team please! Get fanbase proud of Lightning again a d excited for new season!

Why do we need Vatrano? He'll be 31 years old in March 2025. You could trade Kaliyev from LAК, as an option to Tampa Bay. Young players with potential are required. It is absolutely necessary to attract more young people to the roster, that Geekie, that Groshev, that Goncalves. We are in trouble with the RD position and that problem needs to be addressed.

Stammer's already made bank, he wanted more $$ knowing our cap situation... He made a business decision for himself valuing his services to the top bidder, no hard feelings, best of luck, and thanks for the memories Stammer, but one can say not a very Captain like move knowing ur team's circumstances.

To be honest, the idea of trading out Perbix at the D line is not stupid. With the arrivals of Moser and McDonagh plus the steady place of Hedman, Raddysh and Cernak in the lineup. There is one spot left in the lineup for Perbix, Crozier and Lilleberg. Perbix played great on its first year but at times last year, I prefered to see Lilleberg or Crozier holding the puck and they are showing more grit or more intensity in the playoffs than what Perbix showed against Toronto and Florida so to trade Perbix now, is not necessarily a bad move and he will get plenty of times in Anaheim in a younger chore of players. Also, if we trade Gauthier two trade picks plus Perbix just to get Vatrano, it would feel like in total opposition to what we did with the Guentzel-Stamkos swap and Sergachev trade which was about making Tampa younger, regaining prospects, building a competitive team while keeping a descent prospect pool. Giving too much could be a Jeannot 2.0 although Vatrano would definitely be a great addition for us. Now Zegras I am a little mixed feelings about him. When you just think about him and what he needs, it's to be traded elsewhere, it's not a fit in Anaheim. He's 23 years old which means he's still young which means his good years are ahead of him, could give Cooper a lot of options with him and Guentzel both able to play on both 1st and 2nd lines. Brings offensive punch. It's kind of a guess but this player is one of creativity and skills to create plays. He makes me think of Drouin at the beginning of his career and Drouin thrive in Tampa while he was there, there's a Lightning structure Zegras could fit into and the lightning work ethics culture could help him become more mature and more of a two way player. The issue I have is this one. Trading for Zegras would cost a lot, despite what I said above, what if it didn't work? What are the amount of draft picks or prospects were trading to Anaheim in exchange for a player which is a guess. Also, Zegras has a cap hit of 5,7 million, we're busting the cap if we acquire him, this would mean salary cap retention in Anaheim which has a price or other side moves like getting rid of Sheary would have to occur and would change the team's image.

I may sound like a bitter die hard Lightning fan but I blame Stamkos. He was fully aware of our cap situation and what we needed personel wise to contend for the cup again. In no way on planet earth could we pay him 8 million AAV and still contend for a cup. Julian definitely holds some blame with his 3 million AAV offer, but he understands the cap and how we are up against it. The fact Stamkos went to the media and made it personal makes it seem to me like he was defending himself because he knew he was being guilty of being a little bit greedy. Perception is reality.... I think it's ironic he went to Nashville. My brother lives on 5th and Broadway with his balcony facing Bridgestone arena, and yes he is a die hard Lightning fan too.

Listen...and this is coming from a FAN: These decisions are hard to make...but NECESSARY. Vinny. Marty. These guys didn't finish their career in Tampa. JBB has done a helluva job making this team YOUNGER and COMPETITIVE over the LONG TERM. It sucks that Stammer won't finish his career here. It DOES. But bringing in a YOUNGER replacement (Guentzel) has made this team a NOT Pittsburgh. Do you want Stammer and a degradation of the TEAM, over the long term or do you want a potential WINNING team for the future? This CURRENT team has a great, YOUNG core. Kuch is the "old man"...and he's 30. Our NEW core is Kuch, Hagle, Paul, Cirelli, Guentzel, Point...that's one HELL of a top 6. Our D should be better. JBB did the best he could for the FRANCHISE. And THAT is what matters.

Not only did preds get Stamkos without giving up assets, look at their draft capital for the pipeline and next three years, only hole, maybe missing a 6 or 7 , they are lined up well, us, it’s food bank desperation, what a colossal dumpster fire this is turning into, giving moser that money, he ain’t coming back after two, you can’t afford him

FJB, fire julienne brisboise, empty pipeline and got zero for Stamkos, why did he not flip him at deadline? He didn’t even try and don’t give me bs about no movement, he didn’t try, disgusting. Betting lines for next year, kuch over under down 40 points, Vegas knows their shit, and that’s based on 82 games, Vegas obviously doesn’t think guentzle is going to produce Stamkos numbers, WTF or where, is Vinik, explanation here jeffy

Hi, Just to let you know the "K" in Khabibulin is silent. It's great to be reminded of this run though, good stuff!

My prediction for the starting lineup next year. If Geekie is NHL ready Kucherov - Point - Cirelli Hagel - Geekie - Guentzel Eyssimont - Paul - Atkinson Girgensons - Glendening - Chaffee If Geekie is not Kucherov - Point - Hagel Sheary- Cirelli - Guentzel Eyssimont - Paul - Atkinson Girgensons - Glendening - Chaffee Try to get Conor Sheary going by making him play with Guentzel like he used to in Pittsburgh. Aside from Geekie, Goncalves and Groshev could also fight for a place in the Lightning lineup this year and could make it. First offseason games will be interesting to watch

Bad offseason so far

As a Kings fan I have been lobbying for this guy for two years. Thanks.

Ideal line up, if I were JBB Farabee would probably cost another 1st rounder Guentzel Point Kucherov Farabee or Hoffman Cirelli Hagel Atkinson Paul Essymont Howard Geekie Chafee (kid line) Hedman Raddysh Mcdonagh Cernak Moser Justin Schultz Vasilevsky

After 2 first round exits in a row, this team clearly needed a shake-up. This team has the potential to be similar to the 2008 red wings. At the time, the red wings lost Steve Yzerman, similar to lightning losing Stamkos. Hedman reminds me a lot of Lidstrom. Now, the Lightning has a new lineup. The top line is still one of the best in the league. The team has some holes, maybe have Howard and Geekie play on the 3rd or 4th line if they are ready. For Defense, the right side needs to get better, I was thinking of signing Justin Schultz. They still need another top 6 foward. I heard of trading for Joel Farabee from the Flyers.

Young players need to be brought in

Nick Paul has been on ice with Kuch since end of season