Tampa Bay Lightning: Top 5 Contracts That Need To Be Signed

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 6
Tampa Bay Lightning
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning have many questions to be answered in this year’s free agency.

It is almost Free Agency time and the Tampa Bay Lightning have many contracts to be signed. They have five top forwards looking for contract renewals, but the question quickly becomes whether or not the Lightning will have the cap space in order to get all of the needed deals signed? In addition to that, which players, if any, will have to be sacrificed along the way?

Steven Stamkos is the most expensive contract this year, and if signed could create an issue. Re-signing Steven Stamkos would almost guarantee that one or more players, including those with quite a bit of value, may need to be traded to get the deal done. This means there might not be any money left for players like Nikita Kucherov or Victor Hedman, who’s contract expires next year.

There is no denying Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman is going to have his hands full during the off-season. There are so many questions on the table and a number of deals to be made. It will be interesting to see how the architect of the Lightning as we know it will work his magic and give fans a competitive team in the 2016-17 season.

Now, while Tampa Bay Lightning fans sit back and wait to see how the Free Agency circus plays out, let’s take a look at the Top 5 Contracts the Tampa Bay Lightning needs to sign this season.

Next: 1. Steven Stamkos