Bolts by the Bay
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How long is the window open for the Tampa Bay Lightning?

By Benjamin Henderson

Jul 12, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) hoists the Stanley Cup during the Stanley Cup Championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) hoists the Stanley Cup during the Stanley Cup Championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 1, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates with defenseman Victor Hedman (77). Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY /

Tampa Bay Lightning 2024-25: The new era will be locked in

  • Guaranteed under-contract forwards: Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Paul, Eyssimont
  • Guaranteed under-contract defensemen: Hedman, Sergachev, Cernak, Perbix
  • Confidence Meter: High, to an extent

Already by 2024, Tampa only has five forwards that will for sure be locked into a deal. Stamkos and Hagel simultaneously need new deals for the year.

There isn’t a reason to believe that a deal won’t get done for both, but the real problem becomes what happens to the blue line in 2024-25. Bogosian, Fleury, and Raddysh also need new deals and will all be UFAs. Bogosian will be 34 years old heading into the 2024-25 campaign, so if he still has legs to him, he might stick around for the league minimum.

But if either Fleury or Raddysh have a good 2023-24 season, they will command way more than the $762,500 they’ll make this season.

And if they don’t have a good season, Tampa won’t want to keep them around anyway.

This will be where the lack of Cal Foote’s development, leading him to be traded away, will start to rear its head as Tampa desperately looks for options for a third-pair defenseman. This could be the season we start to hear about 2021 draft pick Roman Schmidt and if he is ready to make the jump to the NHL.

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