Lightning 2021 Offseason

[RSchmitz]

Some offseason discussion is spilling over into the playoff thread. There is about a week to go until the expansion draft protection lists are due

[dannybolt]

It's going to be interesting for sure. Gotta think we are going to be replacing at least 4 guys, maybe more. Coleman and TJ are likely gone, there is the expansion draft, and possibly a couple more guys needed to jettison to get under the cap for next year.

[RSchmitz]

Has to be one of Killorn or Palat gone. I have to think the broken leg scares some teams away from Killorn.

[TexasBolt]

It's going to be interesting for sure. Gotta think we are going to be replacing at least 4 guys, maybe more. Coleman and TJ are likely gone, there is the expansion draft, and possibly a couple more guys needed to jettison to get under the cap for next year.

Coleman (there’s no way someone doesn’t pay him big) and TJ off the books would get you most of the way there. In reality the Lightning only have to clear a Kucherov-sized chunk of cap space. The Gaborik and Nilsson money doesn’t really count because they’re retired.

[RSchmitz]

I think we are about 4-5 million over the cap for next season already, with several positions left to be filled. Trading TJ and Killorn/Palat gets you there for sure.

[Derek28]

We also have to keep in mind that Barre-Boulet, Raddysh, and Katchouk all require waivers next season and will be claimed. Let's say that we retain no UFA's and fill in all the spots internally. The roster would look something like this (assuming Johnson goes in expansion):

Palat/Killorn - Point - Kucherov
Colton - Cirelli - Stamkos
Katchouk - Gourde - Joseph
Maroon - ABB - Raddysh
Stephens

Hedman - Rutta
McDonagh - Cernak
Sergachev - Foote

Vasy

This roster (with Palat leaving and Killorn staying) would leave about $2.8 Million for another defenseman and a backup goalie. It would leave about $1.9 Million if we keep Palat and move Killorn.

[RSchmitz]

We also have to keep in mind that Barre-Boulet, Raddysh, and Katchouk all require waivers next season and will be claimed. Let's say that we retain no UFA's and fill in all the spots internally. The roster would look something like this (assuming Johnson goes in expansion):

Palat/Killorn - Point - Kucherov
Colton - Cirelli - Stamkos
Katchouk - Gourde - Joseph
Maroon - ABB - Raddysh
Stephens

Hedman - Rutta
McDonagh - Cernak
Sergachev - Foote

Vasy

This roster (with Palat leaving and Killorn staying) would leave about $2.8 Million for another defenseman and a backup goalie. It would leave about $1.9 Million if we keep Palat and move Killorn.

Looks good

[Pat664422]

We also have to keep in mind that Barre-Boulet, Raddysh, and Katchouk all require waivers next season and will be claimed. Let's say that we retain no UFA's and fill in all the spots internally. The roster would look something like this (assuming Johnson goes in expansion):

Palat/Killorn - Point - Kucherov
Colton - Cirelli - Stamkos
Katchouk - Gourde - Joseph
Maroon - ABB - Raddysh
Stephens

Hedman - Rutta
McDonagh - Cernak
Sergachev - Foote

Vasy

This roster (with Palat leaving and Killorn staying) would leave about $2.8 Million for another defenseman and a backup goalie. It would leave about $1.9 Million if we keep Palat and move Killorn.

Just commenting on this for fun since last offseason proved things are completely unpredictable in the offseason, but...

The thing that stands out to me with this roster is how strong we are at center and how weak we'd be at wing comparatively, with the understanding Stamkos is a center, not a winger. Colton also looked better to me as a center than a wing.

Cirelli is not a 2nd line center in my opinion, he and Gourde are pretty similar to me. I think it would be ideal if we traded Gourde (with his higher salary and lower ceiling), played Stamkos at 2nd line center and Cirelli at 3rd line center. That would allow us to keep Palat and Killorn. Trading Gourde won't be easy, maybe we include a prospect or a pick to make it happen.

Palat - Point - Kucherov
Killorn - Stamkos - Raddysh
Katchouk - Cirelli - Joseph
Maroon - Colton - Stephens
ABB

[the_narrow_way]

I'd rather have Gourde than Cirelli.

[RSchmitz]

I'd rather have Gourde than Cirelli.

At first thought I was going to say how ridiculous this was but you may be right. At the very least it’s a closer call than it was a year ago

[Puckhead]

At first thought I was going to say how ridiculous this was but you may be right. At the very least it’s a closer call than it was a year ago

I don't think it's close...37 controls WAY more loose pucks in the O zone. Gourde gets my vote. (now watch, some fancy stats are going to say I'm wrong..)

[dmaxf9]

How about Henrik Lundqvist as the backup goaltender? To have the opportunity to win a Cup, solid friend of McDonagh and Hedman.
Cirelli and Gourde will be protected IMO.

[RSchmitz]

I don't think it's close...37 controls WAY more loose pucks in the O zone. Gourde gets my vote. (now watch, some fancy stats are going to say I'm wrong..)

You don't think it's close between Cirelli and Gourde? Yeah, disagree with that.

[Hoek]

I think the big question about Cirelli is whether he's been injured this whole time and that's why his offense disappeared, or is this who he really is? Because if so, he's really not a top 6 center imo. Would rather have Gourde as he at least brings offense along with the insane forechecking ability.

[Bolthed]

Gourde has an NTC until next offseason.