BeingTheThunder
Registered User
Okay, here we are, 3 days from the NHL draft. Erik Karlsson and Jacob Trouba are now off the table for the Lightning and we're bringing Brayden Coburn back for two more years on a ridiculously cheap, team-friendly deal. The question is now Where does the Lightning go from here?
Move 2-3 Current Roster Guys
We know signing Point is going to cost money that we do not currently have. The only way this is going to happen is if we move a roster player or two. Most think Callahan is a cinch to be moved because he was a healthy scratch so many times last year and that makes sense. Spending $5.8 Million for a guy to sit out 25-30 games is a lot of scratch. JT Miller has a modified no trade clause that requires he submit 8 teams he will not go to and Gourde has a Full No Trade Clause kicking in on the 1st of July. In my opinion, I think we should move Callahan, assuming we can get him to waive his NTC and it's doesn't cost too much, and we should trade Gourde before July 1. I prefer moving Gourde for two reasons: Miller is younger and, if it becomes necessary, will be easier to trade in the future.
This gives us the cap space to sign Point and gives us a head start on signing some of our other young guys coming off of their ELCs to bridge deals.
Sign Point
We know we have to free up money to sign Point. Now that Karlsson is off the table, do we want to sign him long-term to an 8 year deal or are we still hoping for a cheaper bridge and kick the can down the road for his long-term, big money contract? I would prefer moving multiple players and signing him up for the full 8 years now. Get it over with so it's not a headache in 3-4 years.
Sign Tougher, Harder Working Forwards
The players we have, from what I witnessed in the playoffs, just don't work hard enough and pay the price needed to dig pucks out from the boards or act as if they're scared to get hit when the puck came their way. Three examples of players I would like us to bring in would be Charlie Coyle, Ryan O'Reilly, and Ryan Anderson. Those guys bring the body and are relentless on the puck. We could use a few of those guys.
What do you say we should do from here?
Move 2-3 Current Roster Guys
We know signing Point is going to cost money that we do not currently have. The only way this is going to happen is if we move a roster player or two. Most think Callahan is a cinch to be moved because he was a healthy scratch so many times last year and that makes sense. Spending $5.8 Million for a guy to sit out 25-30 games is a lot of scratch. JT Miller has a modified no trade clause that requires he submit 8 teams he will not go to and Gourde has a Full No Trade Clause kicking in on the 1st of July. In my opinion, I think we should move Callahan, assuming we can get him to waive his NTC and it's doesn't cost too much, and we should trade Gourde before July 1. I prefer moving Gourde for two reasons: Miller is younger and, if it becomes necessary, will be easier to trade in the future.
This gives us the cap space to sign Point and gives us a head start on signing some of our other young guys coming off of their ELCs to bridge deals.
Sign Point
We know we have to free up money to sign Point. Now that Karlsson is off the table, do we want to sign him long-term to an 8 year deal or are we still hoping for a cheaper bridge and kick the can down the road for his long-term, big money contract? I would prefer moving multiple players and signing him up for the full 8 years now. Get it over with so it's not a headache in 3-4 years.
Sign Tougher, Harder Working Forwards
The players we have, from what I witnessed in the playoffs, just don't work hard enough and pay the price needed to dig pucks out from the boards or act as if they're scared to get hit when the puck came their way. Three examples of players I would like us to bring in would be Charlie Coyle, Ryan O'Reilly, and Ryan Anderson. Those guys bring the body and are relentless on the puck. We could use a few of those guys.
What do you say we should do from here?