What about next year? Drouin, Palat and Johnson will all want over $5 mil per.

drouin will not deserve 5 mill for first of all he will most likely get 3 max if he plays great this year if not 2 or less or traded and then the expansion draft will eat killorn or Namestnikov contract, we will most likely buy ou or trade Filppula or garrison next season to clear room for johnson and palat

That's a lot of ifs. I can't see how Tampa wants to eat a contract like Niemi or Lehtonen either. I understand that it is the most talked about trade for TB but it doesn't make sense to me.

well there can always be a retain of Niemi's salary. but desperate times means desperate measures, the worst case of what can happen is we lose palat or drouin, (prefered drouin to leave) because losing johnson is not an option !

Don't forget Vasilevski's raise that kicks in next year at $3.5M

I have now heard Lightniing fans say Palat is untouchable because of his 2 way play and the same about Johnson. Because of all the stupid NMC TB has, I don't think they can keep both. I really don't think you want to give up on a talent like Drouin.

Good point correct yzerman needs to pull a miracle

buying out callahan helps alot, i am sure that will be on yzerman's agenda next off season

Are you even allowed to buyout Callahan at this point? Hasn't the buyout period passed?

Johnson would be the one to go over Palat as the Lightning have no one to replace Palat. They have Namestnikov and then Brayden Point coming down the line to replace Johnson (maybe not as good . In my opinion if the Lightning lose one of Johnson, Palat or Drouin next year it will be Johnson. He is a potential top line C who is an RFA for certain teams in the league they would give up the assets to attain him. It would suck to lose him but he is the one the Lightning can replace.

Killorn has played RW in the past correct?

I think Kucherov is going to ring you up a little more than 6.3 AAV unless you do a bridge deal.