Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion I

[Tampa22]

A very early look at which players could be available at the TDL:

Possible TDL Defenseman targets:
Name Position AAV
Andersson RD $4.55 x 2 years
Pettersson LD $4.025
Savard RD $3.50
Walman LD $3.40 x 2 years
Ferraro LD $3.25 x 2 years
Borgen RD $2.70
Bahl LD $1.05

Possible TDL Forward targets:
Name Handedness AAV
Hall L $6.00
Zegras L $5.75 x 2 years
Kuzmenko R $5.50
Gourde L $5.16
Granlund L $5.00
Palmieri R $5.00
Bunting L $4.50 x 2 years
Fabbri L $4.00
Vatrano L $3.65 x 2 years
B. Tanev L $3.50
Mantha L $3.50
Laughton L $3.00 x 2 years
Cates L $2.625
Frost L $2.10
Evans R $1.70

I know Conroy said he wasn't selling but he has lied before and if that team starts tanking it would suprise me if they didn't sell.

Notable names I would be looking at are Gourde and Walman. I think they could be the finishing touches on this team.

Another player I wonder about would be Laine. If he gets off to a slow start after the injury would the Canadiens be up to moving him with retention considering how low the acquisition cost was for them.

I only like Gourde of that list but is too expensive, can fix it moving Paul. Laine should be interesting but too risky with his injury.
The rest of the players are not necessary for me.
I'm a minority without a doubt, I know, but I go for more tough players who can skate a limited time in the low roles of defense and offense and cheaps. Never will happen but I dream to see Bokondji Imama with Kyle Marino in the 4th line. And Montana Onyebuchi patroling the D. Pure entertainment scoring goals and hitting everybody, the way to play this sport!

 

[JTBF81]

I only like Gourde of that list but is too expensive, can fix it moving Paul. Laine should be interesting but too risky with his injury.
The rest of the players are not necessary for me.
I'm a minority without a doubt, I know, but I go for more tough players who can skate a limited time in the low roles of defense and offense and cheaps. Never will happen but I dream to see Bokondji Imama with Kyle Marino in the 4th line. And Montana Onyebuchi patroling the D. Pure entertainment scoring goals and hitting everybody, the way to play this sport!

Paul isn't going anywhere, especially not for Gourde. While Gourde would be a decent addition, Tampa shouldn't be moving any of their current long term contracts for him. With the cap space they should accrue, they can also likely acquire a player in Gourde's cap range with just retention by the trading or a 3rd team.

 

[JTBF81]

A very early look at which players could be available at the TDL:

Possible TDL Defenseman targets:
Name Position AAV
Andersson RD $4.55 x 2 years
Pettersson LD $4.025
Savard RD $3.50
Walman LD $3.40 x 2 years
Ferraro LD $3.25 x 2 years
Borgen RD $2.70
Bahl LD $1.05

Possible TDL Forward targets:
Name Handedness AAV
Hall L $6.00
Zegras L $5.75 x 2 years
Kuzmenko R $5.50
Gourde L $5.16
Granlund L $5.00
Palmieri R $5.00
Bunting L $4.50 x 2 years
Fabbri L $4.00
Vatrano L $3.65 x 2 years
B. Tanev L $3.50
Mantha L $3.50
Laughton L $3.00 x 2 years
Cates L $2.625
Frost L $2.10
Evans R $1.70

I know Conroy said he wasn't selling but he has lied before and if that team starts tanking it would suprise me if they didn't sell.

Notable names I would be looking at are Gourde and Walman. I think they could be the finishing touches on this team.

Another player I wonder about would be Laine. If he gets off to a slow start after the injury would the Canadiens be up to moving him with retention considering how low the acquisition cost was for them.

Gourde, Granlund, Kuzmenko, Palmieri, Vatrano, Frost or maybe Cates. I doubt Tampa will spend a ton on both a F and D, and one additional middle 6 F, preferably one who can play RW, should be the priority imo. If they could swing Gourde and Pettersson somehow though, I wouldn't be complaining.

 

[LordStanlersCup]

Gourde, Granlund, Kuzmenko, Palmieri, Vatrano, Frost or maybe Cates. I doubt Tampa will spend a ton on both a F and D, and one additional middle 6 F, preferably one who can play RW, should be the priority imo. If they could swing Gourde and Pettersson somehow though, I wouldn't be complaining.

In terms of capspace if they keep Sheary in Syracuse and don't recall anybody they would have $7,860,247.03 by the TDL and if they recall an $800k player (with Sheary waived) they would have $4,543,173.87 by the TDL. So even if they don't trade Sheary they would have enough for Walman and Gourde with no retention if they don't call anyone up but realistically they will so they could still probably get both but would need retention on Gourde.

In terms of assets Gourde should be pretty cheap as he is a 4C in Seattle and probably won't have a lot of production by the TDL. Walman might be pricey because there are no good D's left available and he has term at a reasonable cap hit but I think it's something we need to do. As of right now I wouldn't be comfortable going into a playoff series with Lilleberg. Pettersson would be great but I'm not sure I would want to spend that much on a rental, we would need to be completely all in.

Out of all the forwards that might be available there are only like 3 that are Right shots so our Powerplay either has to figure it out, hope that Huuhtanen is ready or hope that Laine becomes available.

 

[JTBF81]

In terms of capspace if they keep Sheary in Syracuse and don't recall anybody they would have $7,860,247.03 by the TDL and if they recall an $800k player (with Sheary waived) they would have $4,543,173.87 by the TDL. So even if they don't trade Sheary they would have enough for Walman and Gourde with no retention if they don't call anyone up but realistically they will so they could still probably get both but would need retention on Gourde.

In terms of assets Gourde should be pretty cheap as he is a 4C in Seattle and probably won't have a lot of production by the TDL. Walman might be pricey because there are no good D's left available and he has term at a reasonable cap hit but I think it's something we need to do. As of right now I wouldn't be comfortable going into a playoff series with Lilleberg. Pettersson would be great but I'm not sure I would want to spend that much on a rental, we would need to be completely all in.

Out of all the forwards that might be available there are only like 3 that are Right shots so our Powerplay either has to figure it out, hope that Huuhtanen is ready or hope that Laine becomes available.

Gourde w/retention likely costs a 2nd+3rd or B prospect. I'm not super thrilled with Walman's 3.4 cap hit this year and next, so I'd have to look more into the long term situation there. Palmieri would be a good add, but likely more so if he's being brought in for the 2RW role. For the third line, Gourde would be a better choice most likely.

 

[DFC]

Paul isn't going anywhere, especially not for Gourde. While Gourde would be a decent addition, Tampa shouldn't be moving any of their current long term contracts for him. With the cap space they should accrue, they can also likely acquire a player in Gourde's cap range with just retention by the trading or a 3rd team.

Paul's contract is way, way too good to move.

 

[nhljohnson]

Kuzmenko

 

[JTBF81]

Kuzmenko

Kuzmenko will likely be too expensive, and if he is having a good season, then Tampa likely can't afford his next contract anyway. While things can change and lines can go cold, right now Tampa's top 2 lines are working well and having Kuzmenko on the 3rd line may not be a great fit for him.

 

[Todd1a]

Kuzmenko

This is for Kucherov and vasy get a trio going again

This is for Kucherov and vasy get a trio going again

Also he shoots right

 

[LordStanlersCup]

This is for Kucherov and vasy get a trio going again


Also he shoots right

I mean yeah he shoots right but he is more of a net front presence guy than a one timer.

 

[bov]

Forward group looks fine, just get a little more size or bite is my only request. I would consider Goodrow if SJ retained a bunch of salary. Rempe would be a fun project to take on, thinking longer term and not necessarily an everyday guy. Or Tanev + Oleksiak in a package deal if JBB can get really creative with the money.

Think about the teams like Florida and Boston especially with the D groups they have, even Toronto added some beef. You have a 0% chance of winning in the playoffs with a small, soft forward group regardless of how much skill they have.

Is this team built to withstand the punishment ( and be able to dish it out) needed to go deep in the playoffs? The answer is simply no. They're plenty willing, but this group will gradually break down if that all falls on the shoulders of the current personnel.

It's unlike BriseBois to go without some reinforcements so I think eventually he'll do something.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Forward group looks fine, just get a little more size or bite is my only request. I would consider Goodrow if SJ retained a bunch of salary. Rempe would be a fun project to take on, thinking longer term and not necessarily an everyday guy. Or Tanev + Oleksiak in a package deal if JBB can get really creative with the money.

Think about the teams like Florida and Boston especially with the D groups they have, even Toronto added some beef. You have a 0% chance of winning in the playoffs with a small, soft forward group regardless of how much skill they have.

Is this team built to withstand the punishment ( and be able to dish it out) needed to go deep in the playoffs? The answer is simply no. They're plenty willing, but this group will gradually break down if that all falls on the shoulders of the current personnel.

It's unlike BriseBois to go without some reinforcements so I think eventually he'll do something.

I can't trust Atkinson playing a ton in a playoff series at this point. I think Dylan Duke will get a chance at some point this season, and I think Isaac Howard will get a look after he signs when State is done.

 

[ccman68]

I would focus more on improving the defense. Forward group just needs a third liner really, but that bottom pair is not gonna cut it.

 

[Lightning1995]

I would focus more on improving the defense. Forward group just needs a third liner really, but that bottom pair is not gonna cut it.

I think Perbix looks pretty decent. Lilliberg has been ok, have to see if he improves in season

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I think Perbix looks pretty decent. Lilliberg has been ok, have to see if he improves in season

Lilleberg has done pretty well at cleaning up his own mistakes. Problem is those mistakes are still happening too much. He's a bit too slow pivoting backwards. Wonder if Barb Underhill or anyone else has worked with him there.

 

[Peacefool]

Can we somehow give to ACE like 20-25 cm more in height and 20 Kgs more i wright? and he will be better than Wilson player for us, and will punish opponents with hits fights and goals cuz he has skills

 

[These Are The Days]

I don't see it happening without a buy out. He's on a 4 year deal. It's either that or he LTIRetires

You're probably right on about this. Nashville is in a weird spot. They're about as "All in" as you can be but they don't have a really long window. If they decide to rebuild, I don't see how an $8 million Stamkos deal is part of it. Nor do I see anyone biting on it which makes the buyout you bring up all the more likely. Not unless the Preds want to retain salary in a rebuild. And that doesn't make much sense

 

[Felonious Python]

Can we somehow give to ACE like 20-25 cm more in height and 20 Kgs more i wright? and he will be better than Wilson player for us, and will punish opponents with hits fights and goals cuz he has skills

There are limb lengthening surgeries, but that would take longer than a summer to recover from.

He could much more easily get custom skates that add a few more inches.

 

[bigdaddio]

I think the team is fine and barring injuries or some unique opportunities should stand pat. We are 7-4 and out of 11 games 9 have been top half teams. Per power ranking the only below average teams we have played are Nashville and Colorado (on the road). Other than Toronto we've been competitive in every loss.

The PP will get better. Young guys will continue to improve. If a 3rd line forward or backup goalie or 3rd pair defenseman that we like is available maybe make that move for depth, but otherwise I like the 2024 team makeup so far.

Per the first site that came up when searching SOS, we have the hardest so far and the easiest rest of the way.
NHL Strength of Schedule Rankings

It's early so teams can improve or get worse but there is zero need for panic.

 

[Point21]

Give me Tyson Foerster from Philly. hes only 22 and shoots right. can play on the RW, has a 20 goal season under his belt already. also hes 6'2 215lbs. fits all the criteria we want and likely wont cost an arm and a leg with his slow start and being scratched a game already

 

[Hockeyville USA]

You're probably right on about this. Nashville is in a weird spot. They're about as "All in" as you can be but they don't have a really long window. If they decide to rebuild, I don't see how an $8 million Stamkos deal is part of it. Nor do I see anyone biting on it which makes the buyout you bring up all the more likely. Not unless the Preds want to retain salary in a rebuild. And that doesn't make much sense

Nashville decided to go further in because they didn't want to rush their next core of Svechkov, L'Heureux, Kemell, Wood, Molendyk, Ufko into the league and into big time roles right away.

They also wanted to reward their current established core of Forsberg, Saros, Josi, etc with a chance to in theory contend.

 

[bov]

Can we somehow give to ACE like 20-25 cm more in height and 20 Kgs more i wright? and he will be better than Wilson player for us, and will punish opponents with hits fights and goals cuz he has skills

Yeah he'd be quite something at 6'10, 235lbs

 

[JFleegs]

Any update on Point?

 

[BowB4Bolts]

Any update on Point?

Anyone?

 

[Stammertime91]

Anyone?

He's somewhere on earth