Is this a possibility

Team: 2021-22 Tampa Bay Lightning

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 16, 2021

Published: Jun. 16, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

No doubt Tampa has to make some major moves to be cap complacent for next season. TBL has few assets and future picks (been well worth it) to sweeten Seattle or a bottom feeder to take on one of Johnson (M-NTC), Gourde (NTC) and McDonagh (NTC). Regardless, you'll probably also need to move one from one of Killorn, Palat, Cirelli or Sergachev .

IMO McDonagh would be the best to move out. He's had a great career, and is a solid d in this league but he has obviously regressed, and is blocking Sergachev on that left side. Moving on from his $6.75Mx5 (till he's 37) would be a blessing for Tampa both short and long term. He's won a cup, is a former NHL captain and could be a valuable vet in the room for an expansion team like Seattle. Obviously, Seattle probably would not willingly want to take on a regressing dman with a tough contract, and some may say they won't touch him with a 10 foot pole. That's where sweetening Seattle with Cirelli comes in. He's one of the games best two-way centreman, only 24 and expires in 2 years as an RFA... perfect building piece for an expansion team. It would be tough for TBL to move on from a guy like that but they'll have to move on from someone they don't want to this off season. Maybe get a 2nd or 3rd rounder back from Seattle- not too sure on value.

Little out of the box, but I think the move has benefits to both sides here. Seattle gets a vet d/leader and a solid young top 6 C. Would give Tampa some flexibility this off season, and space to resign Point next year. Does anyone see this as a realistic move? Could also use one of Sergachev and Johnson in a similar type move.