TAMPA — The Lightning mentioned an abrupt goodbye to a different piece of their championship core Saturday, one which was anticipated to be a Bolt into the following decade, giving normal supervisor Julien BriseBois the wage cap flexibility he’s coveted for years to maintain the Lightning a contender.
However for now, that freed-up cash shouldn’t be earmarked for Steven Stamkos, and the Lightning captain seems headed to the open market when free company begins Monday at midday.
BriseBois made a surprising transfer, dealing away 26-year-old budding famous person defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Membership throughout the second day of the NHL draft in Las Vegas.
An even bigger shock got here later within the day. BriseBois mentioned that even after gaining $11.15 million of cap house by buying and selling Sergachev and ahead Tanner Jeannot, he re-approached Stamkos’ agent, Don Meehan, however didn’t make Stamkos a greater provide.
“Our respective positions haven’t modified following (Saturday’s) trades.” BriseBois mentioned by telephone after the draft. “As of now we’ve each agreed to get to July 1. It doesn’t imply we are able to’t circle again to 1 one other. However we’re each going to go forward and observe by means of with our due diligence, seeing what’s on the market and seeing what’s greatest.
“My response was to see what’s greatest for the Lightning group. And Stephen has to do what’s greatest for him, his profession and his household. So except one thing modifications between now and July 1, and it doesn’t appear like it can, we’ll get to (free company).”
The roster may look lots completely different within the subsequent couple days with out two of the franchise’s fan favorites in Sergachev and Stamkos.
The Lightning may not be a greater group right now, however they’re youthful. For Sergachev, they obtained a 24-year-old top-four defenseman in J.J. Moser, who averaged 20:34 in ice time final season for Arizona, and 20-year-old ahead Conor Geekie, a former No. 11 total choose who instantly turns into the Lightning’s prime prospect.
And BriseBois now turns into a serious participant in free company. The Lightning’s cap house elevated to $16.5 million, to allow them to make a run at a few of this yr’s prime free brokers, or discover commerce provides from groups hamstrung by the $88 million cap who want to maneuver salaries.
“We now have a battle chest of cap house to exit and enhance our group in free company,” BriseBois mentioned. “And the hope is that the newfound cap house, our favorable taxation scenario, the chance to be on a aggressive group and to play with some nice gamers ought to make us an interesting vacation spot when free brokers need to make selections on the place to signal come July 1.”
BriseBois didn’t need to essentially transfer Sergachev, calling him a “stud, two-time Stanley Cup-winning, 26-year-old No. 1 defenseman,” however he noticed power on the left facet of the Lightning blue line after re-acquiring defenseman Ryan McDonagh final month and determined to subsequent enhance the depth of the ahead group.
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Nonetheless, that Sergachev was the participant who needed to be moved got here as a shock. The Lightning had seen him as part of their long-term future, signing him to an eight-year extension throughout the 2022 offseason to maintain him beneath group management by means of 2030-31, making him the highest-paid defenseman on the group. He received his second Stanley Cup simply days after his twenty third birthday, and he realized beneath the tutelage of Hedman and McDonagh.
“Taking a look at what we had on our again finish, it felt such as you would find yourself with a greater collective group if we reallocated a few of our riches from the again finish to enhance our depth on the ahead place,” BriseBois mentioned. “And this time of yr, throughout the draft and the opening of free company is one such time, and what we’re making an attempt to do, it’s at all times in regards to the collective group. It’s at all times about making an attempt to construct the strongest group attainable.”
Apart from parting methods with Sergachev, the Lightning lower bait on the 27-year-old Jeannot, whom they paid a hefty worth to accumulate on the 2023 commerce deadline. He didn’t reside as much as expectations, they usually discovered a suitor within the Kings that might take his $2.665 million cap hit for subsequent season earlier than he reaches free company.
Shortly after Saturday’s commerce, Sergachev posted on Instagram, thanking the Lightning and their followers:
“I’m grateful to (the Lightning) for every little thing we’ve had collectively, all of the ups and downs, from shedding 4-0 within the first spherical to successful two Stanley cups! Due to the group for offering me with every little thing I wanted to carry out my greatest! Due to the coaches, I’ve realized lots from you. Due to the medical employees, I really like you guys and large because of the gamers that I performed with, you really made it particular!
“I used to be proud to name myself a bolt and I gave my absolute every little thing to this group! Tampa will at all times be a house to me and my household! And thanks to the followers and metropolis of Tampa! I’ve felt love and assist from you and it made me higher! All the pieces involves an finish, however we’re endlessly champs and I really like you Tampa!”
Getting into the offseason, BriseBois mentioned his mission — together with re-signing Stamkos — was to enhance defensively after the Lightning ranked twenty second in objectives allowed. He traded to get McDonagh again, and boasted having a top-four group made up of Victor Hedman, McDonagh, Sergachev and Erik Cernak.
However BriseBois mentioned that earlier this month — when negotiations with Stamkos hit a deadlock — his employees began sending out feelers for trades and took a better take a look at a free-agent market they beforehand couldn’t deeply delve into. They determined to handle upgrading the ahead group, seemingly specializing in the highest two-way forwards out there.
The Lightning also can pursue an extension for Hedman, who’s getting into the ultimate yr of his contract, within the coming days.
Together with Moser and Geekie, the most recent trades netted the Lightning 4 extra draft picks, together with two in Saturday’s draft.
Moser was a second-round choose by Arizona in 2021. One other left-shot defenseman, he had 5 objectives and 26 factors in 80 video games final season for the Coyotes. He’ll get a major increase from the $886,667 cap hit he carried on his entry-level contract.
Geekie is coming off his third full season within the Western Hockey League, the place he scored 43 objectives and 56 assists in 55 video games between the Wenatchee Wild and Swift Present Broncos. His plus-51 score was the second-highest amongst Western Hockey League skaters. Geekie additionally represented Group Canada on this yr’s World Juniors, recording two objectives and an help in 5 video games.
Geekie, whose entry-level contract runs by means of 2026-27, is predicted to begin the season at AHL Syracuse after making his professional debut final season with the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate in Tucson.
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