Team: 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 15, 2019

Published: Jul. 15, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

A stark contrast between the two parts of the season last year. They put together the best regular season in the salary cap era and followed it by becoming the first President's Trophy team to be swept in the opening round. This roster is still excellent and I expect they will take the tough lesson of the playoffs (sometimes will > skill over a small sample size) and use it as motivation to fully recover from their faceplant and return as one of the favorites to win the cup.

The off season priorities for this team beyond what they have already began (freeing up some cap space in the Miller trade and via the Callahan diagnosis) will be locking up Point to a long term deal, determining a landing spot for Domingue after acquiring McElhinney, shoring up their RD depth, and perhaps acquiring a forward with some size for another run at Lord Stanley.

RFA's
Point - given the rumours of him turning down a Aho-esque offer sheet (likely a front loaded 5 X $8.454M), it makes it seem like he wants to be in Tampa long term and would take a discount to do so. He's offered the option of 6 x $8.666M (where he'd still have one more big UFA contract at age 29) or 8 x $9M (where he'd end up with a medium term UFA deal at 31 likely for slightly less money due to age). I assumed he'd go with the six year deal where he'd be able to get one more giant contract.
Erne - two year deal at fourth line money to see if he can't work his way up into a larger role 2 x $1M

UFA's
Looked at adding a larger depth winger signing for the bottom six (1 x $1.25M or less for Paajarvi or Nichushkin) and having bonuses carry into next year. I think the Lightning may instead give the playing time to one of their AHL prospects on the verge of making the leap and avoid having bonus carryover in a year they have to renew Vasilevskiy, Sergachev, Cernak, and a few other bottom six forwards.

Trades
I've assumed all the NTC's would not waive due to the combination of great weather & tax situation plus the great team in Tampa. That restricts Tampa's ability to upgrade/adjust their roster. If one (Killorn, Palat, Johnson, Gourde) would waive I think Ristolainen from Buffalo is an interesting proposition, but thus far I think a more minor move is more likely. Trade bait includes using one of their nearly NHL ready prospects and Domingue to address their needs being RD & larger wingers.
I moved Domingue to Dallas considering they may hedge against a injury to one of their older goalies (especially Bishop who seems to always miss time). Other options for him could be Toronto & Florida (unlikely given they are in division), or if Minnesota or San Jose is looking to upgrade their backup spots. Not a lot of teams looking for a backup goalie.

Lineup
I have Verhaughe making the jump out of camp to be the fourth line center/LW alongside Paquette while keeping the other potential NHL ready prospects (Volkov, Stephens, Raddysh, Barre-Boulet) in the AHL due to their waiver eligibility. I also have Conacher beating out Martel for the 13th forward spot. Rutta, Honka, and Schenn will each get games as the bottom pairing RD depending on team need for the matchup (two-way = Rutta, offense = Honka, defense/toughness = Schenn). For the top two pairings I've put a more offensive minded guy with a defensive minded partner. Forward lines are based predominantly on what worked last year.