Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion II

[Rschmitz]

Yeah. But I think Guentzel and Paul have shown signs of legit chemistry, and I don't know how else to get them together.

The current version of Hagel might be a 100+ point player with Kucherov.

Guentzel-Point-Paul
Hagel-Cirelli-Kucherov

We've already seen Kucherov take extra shifts with Hagel/Cirelli, I think that is the way we'd lean if we did it.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Yeah. But I think Guentzel and Paul have shown signs of legit chemistry, and I don't know how else to get them together.

The current version of Hagel might be a 100+ point player with Kucherov.

Hagel-Point-Kucherov
Guentzel-Cirelli-Paul

Bottom-6 is gonna be a mess though.

 

[bov]

Have to think at least one of the 4 upcoming UFAs could be on the move. Eyssimont and Glendening could be of use to some teams, same with Perbix.

 

[JTBF81]

I still like Bjorkstrand, if Seattle is selling, as a great 2nd line RW add. Another year after this, solid offensively for usually 50-60 points, and pretty good defensively. If moving Paul to the 2nd line, adding two for the 3rd line in the range of Donato, Wennberg, Gourde, Kunin, Evangelista etc seems like a reasonable possibility.

 

[Rschmitz]

I still like Bjorkstrand, if Seattle is selling, as a great 2nd line RW add. Another year after this, solid offensively for usually 50-60 points, and pretty good defensively. If moving Paul to the 2nd line, adding two for the 3rd line in the range of Donato, Wennberg, Gourde, Kunin, Evangelista etc seems like a reasonable possibility.

His RH shot is probably the asset we need from him the most.

Teravainen is another top 6 winger if we are looking for available guys

 

[Renopucker]

His RH shot is probably the asset we need from him the most.

Teravainen is another top 6 winger if we are looking for available guys

They call Bjork the "maestro" for a reason. He'd be a great add.

 

[JTBF81]

His RH shot is probably the asset we need from him the most.

Teravainen is another top 6 winger if we are looking for available guys

Only issue with Teräväinen is the contract and needing retention for 2 more years after this one. Tampa could likely trade for him without retention, but it would severely limit their ability to add anyone else at the deadline. Bjorksttand is a similar situation of course, but with one less year, and being right handed, may be a better fit. In any case, both guys would join Palmieri, Boeser and maybe Granlund as the top players to add for the 2nd line.

 

[Rschmitz]

Only issue with Teräväinen is the contract and needing retention for 2 more years after this one. Tampa could likely trade for him without retention, but it would severely limit their ability to add anyone else at the deadline. Bjorksttand is a similar situation of course, but with one less year, and being right handed, may be a better fit. In any case, both guys would join Palmieri, Boeser and maybe Granlund as the top players to add for the 2nd line.

I'd rather have Bjork if the cost is equal.

Ideally, and it's unlikely to happen, we deal for something better and whom we'll have for longer. I'm 100% down with dealing picks for young players who are contributing now but may need a raise, this is one of the few times it makes sense to do it IMO. Pay the extra for the more ideal fit.

 

[Stammertime91]

Guentzel and Kucherov are the NHL's Beavis and butthead in looks and I can't unsee it.

 

[Renopucker]

Would hate to see Ace dealt, but, gotta give to get. He's deF got value.

 

[Todd1a]

Apparently Bjorkstrand may be available, who has one more year at 5.4m. The exact type of player that I hope we target this off-season/at the deadline.

Yep I’d definitely go for him he’s that forward right hand shot we need !

 

[Todd1a]

Jesus christ you guys act like we're the 06 Lightning with basically Vinny and Marty, and nobody else on the roster. This team still has about 5ish seasons of opportunity. We're talking about Point like we're going to take him behind the woodshed once he turns 31. The f***?

We got about 4-6 years left easy to contend basically we got to find a way to fill out weak links with another defenseman and 2 forwards on the bottom six to upgrade that more

 

[Rschmitz]

We got about 4-6 years left easy to contend basically we got to find a way to fill out weak links with another defenseman and 2 forwards on the bottom six to upgrade that more

Entirely depends on how long Hedman looks like a #1 defenseman, he's already slipping. McDonagh is getting older, Cernak always injured. Moser is the only guy with upside, we will definitely have to address it in a couple of years.

 

[bigdaddio]

Would hate to see Ace dealt, but, gotta give to get. He's deF got value.

Why trade him? I assume he's cheap. He doesn't need to score, just keep doing what's he doing and that's creating ozone time, winning puck battles, being gritty and a pest. After his line is out there doing grit things the 1st or 2nd line can come over the boards and build on the momentum.

 

[Renopucker]

Why trade him? I assume he's cheap. He doesn't need to score, just keep doing what's he doing and that's creating ozone time, winning puck battles, being gritty and a pest. After his line is out there doing grit things the 1st or 2nd line can come over the boards and build on the momentum.

Totally agree!! I don't want to trade Ace, but if we have guys with value, he may be top of the affordable list. And if it takes him to get the maestro, I'm on board.

 

[DFC]

With the cap going up by a lot in the next few years (was rumored to possibly be 97M next season - escrows announced to be paid in full by january to me confirms the bump is gonna be quite high... and not only this year) puts the Lightning in a very interesting position, that I really thought we wouldn't get to witness:
core players all locked up, only Ace to extend.
This means JBB has around 15M to actively improve the roster.
This puts Tampa in a good spot not only to complete the re-tool by adding some good players during the summer, but JBB could go out at the deadline and get a good player on an expiring contract (with some retention) and extend him in the summer. This opens up quite a few more possibilities for JBB.
I'm honestly ready to see some fireworks either at the deadline or during the summer.

All this seems impossible considering we just added Guentzel and JJ Moser this past summer.

Exciting times ahead, our window is and will stay wide open.

Yeah, the key is everyone is locked up. A lot of teams have much of the new space spoken for already (well, Toronto)

 

[Rschmitz]

The market for Ace is virtually non-existent, he's a UFA come July 1st and is having a poor season. More valuable to us if we just keep him, he's not helping us bring in a better player unfortunately.

 

[Todd1a]

Entirely depends on how long Hedman looks like a #1 defenseman, he's already slipping. McDonagh is getting older, Cernak always injured. Moser is the only guy with upside, we will definitely have to address it in a couple of years.

They are for sure gonna have to revamp that defense more after mcdonagh contract expires and the cap goes up hopefully they can sign a really good top 4 defenseman and then Hedman can slide into the second pairing.

But the key for now is we need another legit forward if not two .

Brock Boeser Would definitely be a guy I’d go after but I have no clue how we would pay him in the summer?​

 

[StammerHammer]

Sens and Habs both won tonight. Lightning are entering the must win zone.

 

[Renopucker]

The market for Ace is virtually non-existent, he's a UFA come July 1st and is having a poor season. More valuable to us if we just keep him, he's not helping us bring in a better player unfortunately.

That’s why I’d suck at being a fantasy GM