With the 4 Nations Face-Off now complete, the trade deadline looms large and is just a few weeks away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After a significant roster overhaul last offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning are chasing their fourth Stanley Cup Final appearance in six years. Whether they reclaim the Atlantic Division title or settle for the Eastern Conference’s top wild-card spot, they are poised for a tough first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers or Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams have eliminated Tampa Bay in consecutive postseasons, fueling the Lightning’s quest to reassert their dominance in the league’s most competitive division.
Record
31-20-4, 3rd in the Atlantic Division
Deadline Status
Buyers
Deadline Cap Space
$6.122MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention spots used, 43/50 contract spots used, per PuckPedia.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2025: LA 2nd, TOR 2nd, EDM 4th, TB 4th, TB 5th, TB 6th, MIN 7th, SJ 7th, TB 7th, UTA 7th
2026: TB 1st, TB 2nd, TB 3rd, TB 4th, TB 5th, TB 6th, TB 7th
Trade Chips
What Tampa Bay lacks in draft capital quality, they make up for in quantity. The Lightning won’t have their 2025 first-round pick thanks to the Tanner Jeannot trade with the Nashville Predators a few years ago and the two second-round picks they have are expected to fall in the back half of the round. Still, having 17 draft selections over two years is enough to add a few sweeteners to proposed deals while retaining their ability to boost their organizational depth.
Tampa Bay’s prospect depth may be enough to stave off dealing roster players. Although he was recently reassigned to their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, it’s highly unlikely the Lightning will include forward Conor Geekie in any trade negotiations during deadline season. However, there are a few more forward prospects they could move.
One year after being a point-per-game player with the NCAA’s Michigan State University Spartans, Isaac Howard is going for the Hobey Baker Award. The former 31st overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft has scored 22 goals and 43 points in 30 games for the Spartans this season good for second in points among college players. Given his exceptional play in East Lansing, Howard would be a commanding centerpiece if the Lightning go big-game hunting.
Other prospects include Ethan Gauthier, Dylan Duke, and Niko Huuhtanen for various reasons. There’s a dramatic drop-off in quality beyond Huuhtanen but the former two offer appeal in varying ways. Gauthier was drafted with the first overall pick of the 2021 QMJHL Draft and has developed into an above-average playmaker for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Duke is a high-motor forward who’s become an annoying pest in front of the net although he’s undersized for his playstyle.
Given their team needs, the Lightning will likely keep all five of their top prospects. Still, each of Tampa Bay’s core forwards (aside from Nikita Kucherov) is signed beyond the 2027-28 season, making the Lightning well-positioned to mortgage their future on offense for more immediate needs. 
Team Needs
1) Bottom-Six Forwards: Although the Lightning should already be considered one of the few true Stanley Cup contenders, they still need a few bottom-six forwards. The combination of Michael Eyssimont, Cam Atkinson, Gage Goncalves, Luke Glendening, and Zemgus Girgensons has averaged approximately two goals and six points in 46 games with a -3 rating. The easiest pathway for Tampa Bay to improve this area of their roster is by contacting the Seattle Kraken. If the Kraken retained 50% of both players’ salaries, the Lightning could afford forwards Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde at the deadline. Gourde is familiar with the organization and should come off the LTIR near the end of March. Tanev is another defensive-minded forward who would add explosive speed to Tampa Bay’s bottom six.
2) A Backup Goaltender: The Lightning could also use a more capable backup netminder. Jonas Johansson has been less than average in his role, earning a .890 save percentage and a 3.33 goals-against average in 39 games for Tampa Bay. Thankfully, the Lightning have one of the world’s best goaltenders in Andrei Vasilevskiy who can play between 55 and 60 games of the regular season. Still, when recovering from back surgery at the beginning of last season, Tampa Bay went 9-6-5 without Vasilevskiy before going 36-23-3 upon his return. Either Alexandar Georgiev or Vitek Vanecek of the San Jose Sharks would be affordable backup options for the rest of the season as injury insurance for Vasilevskiy.
Images courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Tampa’s bottom six does need a bit of a boost & they may target a piece at the trade deadline but will surely look to improve it in the offseason. However, I get the impression though Tampa is looking to fill the RW on the second line at the trade deadline.
Based on some reports Tampa seems open to moving their 2026 1st round pick & top/middle six prospect Ethan Gauthier. Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres has been rumored to be a target but that seems unlikely. I think Tampa could look at St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Kyrou who is reportedly available for trade & would fit nicely with Brandon Hagel & Anthony Cirelli. Seattle Krakens’ Jared McCann is a possibility too as he’s up for potential trade according to reports but Tampa would need to move Hagel to the RW (which he’s played on before) as McCann plays only LW or C not RW.
The backup goaltender for this season, is what it is. I don’t see them doing anything about that at the trade deadline. Tampa will deal with that in the offseason.
Tampa should get Vladar.
That would be a nice suggestion but Dan Vladar’s numbers are not really an improvement much over Jonas Johansson’s numbers overall. Vladar’s GAA is 3.07 while Johansson is 3.33. Vladar’s save% is .886 while Johansson is .890.
Honestly, Tampa should test Brandon Halverson who’s been fantastic in the AHL for Syracuse as his numbers are vastly better than both Vladar & Johansson.
Unless they trade a top 8 player they don’t have the cap space. I could see a Cirelli for Gourde (half retained), Eeli Tolvanen, Kyarte deal. Give TB way more depth and grit. Could then trade an excess bottom forward plus Jonas for a better backup. Target guys like Quick, Matt Murray. Should also see what it would take to get Frederic from Boston. Probably a mid prospect and 2nd or third round pick.
While I understand your perspective of sorts, Tampa isn’t trading any of their core guys. Cirelli with Brandon Hagel has become one of the best 2-way tandems in the NHL. Cirelli is having a career year as well.
Tampa will have somewhere between $6 to $7 million in trade deadline cap space. They could afford Yanni Gourde whose cap is just over $5M. Gourde though has lost a step & is 33 years of age. Brandon Tanev is no different as I honestly hope they don’t go for either guy. Tampa needs to trade for a player or two with experience but is in their mid-to-late 20s which is what they typically aim for in the trade deadline.
They could have more cap space if they move Conor Sheary in any trade which would relieve an additional $2M.