Confirmed Trade: [TBL/SEA/DET] Y. Gourde (75% ret.), O. Bjorkstrand, K. Aucoin, 2026 5th to TBL; M. Eyssimont, 2026 1st, 2027 1st, 2025 2nd to SEA; 2025 4th to DET

[DFC]

When Kucherov and Hedman are no longer top players, whether they're in Tampa or somewhere else and regardless of their cap hit, the Lightning window is caput. 27 year old Cirelli and 26 year old Hagel are nice pieces to have of course right now, but their presence doesn't mean the Lightning have any sort of real chance at contention in a post Kucherov world.

Pretty much yeah. I use Hedman as the example because he's older and because Kucherov has a better chance of aging really well. It will be really, really hard to build a core this good again. So we have a couple more years to capitalize on this one.

Next year might realistically be the best chance. Assuming hedman is still a legit #1, we will have a lot of money to surround the core will complementary pieces. We will have cap space for the first time in years.

 

[Gjman2019]

I mean I think going for it is the answer, especially when Kuch is still playing this well

Not so sure about this trade, awful lot of assets to give up. Kinda seems like the Tanner Jeannot trade all over again, maybe not that bad Jeannot is a plug, but that's a LOT going out.

I don't think they can really make another impactful trade after this.

Fair enough but all in is all in....Even if it means having to make the uncomfortable decision's.

 

[Scomerica]

Happy enough with this as a Seattle fan. Gourde had lost a step and was injured for ages. Feel like Bjorkstrand wasn't as good under Bylsma but still a good player. Our team isn't going anywhere right now, so the more picks we get, salary cap space and pathways for prospects to play the better.

Hopefully Tanev and Oleksiak next.

 

[blankall]

Not really, This is extending our window AND making us better for potential cup #3 if we do indeed win that cup I could give two shits less about the picks.

Definitely a good move by Tampa. Usually part of having a cup winning team is the massive rebuild required after things fall apart. You should definitely be trading picks/prospects to give your core another shot. With Hedman at 34 and Kucherov at 31, now is the definitely the time.

 

[JKG33]

They'd overtake Pittsburgh, yes. Below is a little table I made at the start of the year to show team success in the Salary Cap era.

View attachment 987226

I think you need to weight late round success a lot heavier. LA should not be outside the top 5 for their 3 year reign. Certainly not behind the cupless Rags, and SJ is also quite high for what little they actually accomplished.

 

[DingDongCharlie]

If you have Bjorkstrand on your 3rd line you're doing great. If he's on your first line, either you're really hitting the blender and bumped someone better down, something's gone horribly wrong (injury), or you're a bottom feeder.


I see this and think the opposite. Florida/Tampa and a bunch of filler teams

Everything about Bjorkstrand says 2nd line winger too me. Tampa has 5 clear cut guys better than him. He can be the guy to round out the top 6 or maybe they go chemistry and keep him with Gourde on a great 3rd line. That wouldn’t make him a tweener though in my book and anymore than being in Edmonton makes Draisaitl a 2C.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

Not really, This is extending our window AND making us better for potential cup #3 if we do indeed win that cup I could give two shits less about the picks.

I don't think Tampa is a very serious contender for the cup, but I can see why fans would get on board and try for it. Also, it makes sense to go all in until it completely falls apart, which it hasn't yet.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

Definitely a good move by Tampa. Usually part of having a cup winning team is the massive rebuild required after things fall apart. You should definitely be trading picks/prospects to give your core another shot. With Hedman at 34 and Kucherov at 31, now is the definitely the time.

Exactly, And once Heddy can no longer play those #1 minutes we are screwed so go in now and give it one or two more tries.

I don't think Tampa is a very serious contender for the cup, but I can see why fans would get on board and try for it. Also, it makes sense to go all in until it completely falls apart, which it hasn't yet.

That is your opinion.

But I like our chances in a series against just about any team we potentially will run into in the east.

 

[DFC]

Everything about Bjorkstrand says 2nd line winger too me. Tampa has 5 clear cut guys better than him. He can be the guy to round out the top 6 or maybe they go chemistry and keep him with Gourde on a great 3rd line. That wouldn’t make him a tweener though in my book and anymore than being in Edmonton makes Draisaitl a 2C.

Yeah he's a clear 6. Not sure exactly how Cooper will use him because there's also some history with Gourde and Cirelli, and it wouldn't shock me if Coop tries to see if there's anything left there, if only for the tenacity.

I can also see us going with Bjork and Gourde as a third line duo, just for the depth.

 

[JKG33]

Everything about Bjorkstrand says 2nd line winger too me. Tampa has 5 clear cut guys better than him. He can be the guy to round out the top 6 or maybe they go chemistry and keep him with Gourde on a great 3rd line. That wouldn’t make him a tweener though in my book and anymore than being in Edmonton makes Draisaitl a 2C.

I think you've outlined it perfectly, but our conclusions are slightly different... I agree that Tampa (a contender) has 5 forwards better than him. Which puts him as closer to the 3rd line than the first.

Ultimately yes he is a 2nd liner, but nothing more.

 

[WarriorofTime]

First round picks are not an overpayment when we draft and develop players better then anyone in the league and not when your keeping a window open to win cups.

Real "I'm gonna live forever" energy here.

 

[AvroArrow]

Not really, This is extending our window AND making us better for potential cup #3 if we do indeed win that cup I could give two shits less about the picks.

I mean I don't know how it's not.

You can't call something an overpayment without knowing what the return is

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 7D an overpayment ? Yeah

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 1C an overpayment ? No

So yeah it is relevant to what you're getting back. Tampa is quite obviously a better team after this trade, but relative to what they gave up, I think it's an overpayment.

But like you said, win another cup and no one gives a shit.

 

[Atomos2]

Massive payment for a mediocre improvement.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

I mean I don't know how it's not.

You can't call something an overpayment without knowing what the return is

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 7D an overpayment ? Yeah

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 1C an overpayment ? No

So yeah it is relevant to what you're getting back. Tampa is quite obviously a better team after this trade, but relative to what they gave up, I think it's an overpayment.

But like you said, win another cup and no one gives a shit.

Correct and I understand that value but your also basing these picks on unknowns that might potentially take until 2030 or later to impact the team vs helping and improving the team now.

Real "I'm gonna live forever" energy here.

I mean when we crash and burn its going to be awful, so might as well go all in and try now.

 

[DFC]

I mean I don't know how it's not.

You can't call something an overpayment without knowing what the return is

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 7D an overpayment ? Yeah

Is giving up 2 firsts for a 1C an overpayment ? No

So yeah it is relevant to what you're getting back. Tampa is quite obviously a better team after this trade, but relative to what they gave up, I think it's an overpayment.

But like you said, win another cup and no one gives a shit.

Honestly I think overpaying was the plan. I think that's why so few are surprised. JBB pays for the extra year.

 

[JKG33]

Real "I'm gonna live forever" energy here.

Since 2010/11:

ECF
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
1st Rd
SCF
ECF
Missed Playoffs
ECF
1st Rd
Cup
Cup
SCF
1st rd
1st rd

Regardless of what happens this year, that's a damn good 15 year run and they won't be slowing down for a few years yet.

Thats 7 of last 14 (or 6 of the last 11) years they've made the ECF or better. Pretty insane in the cap world

 

[Boud]

I don't think Tampa is a very serious contender for the cup, but I can see why fans would get on board and try for it. Also, it makes sense to go all in until it completely falls apart, which it hasn't yet.

I think they are much more serious than many would think. I’m not a Tampa fan but their main issue was depth up front and probably another Dman.

They’ve now added two forwards who will round out their roster nicely. If they add a defensemen I think they will be right there with other top teams.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

while we are at it, can I interest Tampa in one slightly used Ondrej Palat to further get the band back together!? We'll take your 2035 1st rounder!!!

 

[Warden of the North]

This seems like a lot for a minor improvement.

*Prepares for the Leafs to be torched by Tampa in the playoffs*

 

[CLW]

I see it also as taking some trade options away from Toronto and Florida. Maybe I’m giving it too much credit at the moment

They can have Burakovksy.

 

[Boud]

This seems like a lot for a minor improvement.

*Prepares for the Leafs to be torched by Tampa in the playoffs*

This is not a minor improvement. It’s a pretty serious improvement.it slots down everyone properly on their forward group.


And they have Moser back too. They have been steamrolling teams lately.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I mean when we crash and burn its going to be awful, so might as well go all in and try now.

Yeah I'm fine with the overall approach, just could be a bit rough if we're looking back in a few months and saying "Tampa Bay has been knocked out in the first round three straight seasons, didn't make a 1st round pick in 2023 or 2024, and has already traded away their first round pick in 2025, 2026 and 2027"

 

[creg]

Massive payment for a mediocre improvement.

Our 2nd line winger was Zemgus Girgensons, and we were playing Mitchell Chaffee and Gage Goncalves on our 3rd line. You can call it an overpayment but this is a massive massive improvement.

 

[majormajor]

I can also see us going with Bjork and Gourde as a third line duo, just for the depth.

They were the third line in Seattle too but also played the most minutes and carried the team on their 2023 playoff run. If you have those three lines in Tampa they can use them heavily and leave little time left for the 4th line, which is ideal.

I think you've outlined it perfectly, but our conclusions are slightly different... I agree that Tampa (a contender) has 5 forwards better than him. Which puts him as closer to the 3rd line than the first.

Ultimately yes he is a 2nd liner, but nothing more.

You've already proven to not know jack shit about the player, can you just stop?

 

[boltsfan86]

meh, I'd much rather plug Boeser on the top line, moving someone else down the lineup, than I would plug Bjorkstrand on the 2nd line.

Hey maybe Bjorkstrand will prove me wrong, but he's been pretty consistent throughout his career. And being the best forward on Seattle isn't the flex you think it is. I'll take the middle 6 all situation C over the middle 6 winger any day.

Boeser is really slow per NHL edge. Might not fit in great with the fast paced TB offense.