On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking at what Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman should focus on this offseason.
1. Settle the Steven Stamkos situation – It is easy to say they still had success without Stamkos, but they are a much better team with him in the lineup. Yzerman should attempt to re-sign him, but it has to be at a number that will work for the team. With the players they need to re-sign in the next year or two (Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov are just a few), they can’t afford to pay him $10 million a season. Would an eight-year, $9 million deal work for both sides? $9 million a season could still be hard for the Lightning to do.
2. Sign Nikita Kucherov to a long-term deal – Hard to see Kucherov asking for much less than Vladimir Tarasenko’s eight-year, $7.5 million per season contract.
“They should have signed him to an extension before the season,” said one agent, who doesn’t represent him. “But who knew? He’s been amazing.”
3. Consider trading Ben Bishop and keep Jonathan Drouin – Bishop’s injury in the playoff gave Andrei Vasilevskiy a bigger role and he didn’t really disappoint. If there is an expansion draft next year, they won’t be able keep both goalies. Bishop is 29 and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. Teams that could be looking for a goalie include the Flames, Stars, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs. Bishop does have a no-movement clause, so he has some control on where he might end up.
Joe McDonald of ESPN: When asked if he thought it would be his last game in a Lightning jersey, Steven Stamkos quickly said “No.” Teams will be calling Yzerman if he doesn’t sign Stamkos by the start of free agency.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Jonathan Drouin expects to be back with the Lightning next season.