![]() Defensemen Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix were pleasant, and crucial, surprises last season on the blue line but counting on something similar in 2024 might be wishful thinking. Maybe one of them will step up to become a reasonable facsimile of Killorn but, again, the margin for error is thin.īecause the Lightning have traded so many draft picks and younger players to maximize their chance at winning the Cup the past few seasons, they cannot count on the usual influx of talent from the minor league system. Now, it’s Tanner Jeannot and Mikey Eyssimont. A year ago, it was Brandon Hagel and Nick Paul. BriseBois has been sacrificing draft picks in deals each spring to help with the playoff push, but also to acquire younger, salary-controlled players to replace impending departures. ![]() ![]() ![]() This is where Tampa Bay’s trade deadline gambles need to pay off. So, basically, you’re still in the same salary cap situation, except you’re missing a second-line forward and a top-six defenseman. Except there’s no overall savings because Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak are due a combined $7.375 million in raises. If you take for granted that Killorn and Cole will not be back, that’s $7.45 million you can lop off the payroll. And a group that wins together, there’s a reason they win together and it’s because they’re super close. “It’s different with us because, I feel, we have won. “Can you sit here and lament that some guys aren’t here (anymore)? Yes, but that happens to everybody in the league,” coach Jon Cooper said. That’s what you lose when you no longer have a Gourde, who had assists on both goals in a Game 7 victory against defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado. That’s what you lose when you no longer have Palat making the kind of hustle play he did in Game 7 Monday night that gave New Jersey an early lead against the Rangers. ![]() Ultimately, the price the Lightning have paid for all their success is that the margin for error is smaller than it has been in years. They are no longer the team that hopefuls are shooting for, and bottom dwellers fear. The Lightning may still be contenders, but they are no longer the scourge of the NHL. After a first-round loss to Toronto, BriseBois will have some extra time to figure out how to manipulate a very tight salary cap ahead of 2024. Tampa Bay Lightning vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois talks with reporters following the end of 2022-23 season at Amalie Arena on Tuesday. ![]()
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