On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has a busy offseason in front of him as the tries to improve his team after missing the playoffs.
“The expansion draft is on everyone’s mind right now,” Yzerman said. “I’m not really sure what we’ll be able to do. I’ve just got to be patient and see how things play out.”
The Vegas Golden Knights could have some trades to announce this week after the Cup Final is over.
Yzerman and Vegas GM George McPhee have some spoken about possible deals, but Yzerman isn’t sure if they will make a deal.
The Lightning could make a trade with someone like the Anaheim Ducks or Minnesota Wild for a defenseman before the expansion draft, with the Lightning then added that player to their protected list.
The Lightning could also strike a deal with Vegas to select a certain defenseman and then trade to Tampa after the draft.
“A lot of things are out of my control right now,” Yzerman said. “I don’t know what other teams are discussing with regard to expansion and Vegas. I know what I’d like to do, but we’ll see how it plays out.”
Mailbag …
It’s more likely that the Lightning trade Alex Killorn over losing him in the expansion draft. The Lightning could try to trade as opposed to losing for nothing. His no-trade clause kicks on on July 1st.
It’s not a guarantee that Jonathan Drouin gets traded this offseason, but it wouldn’t be a surprise. Drouin is their most coveted trade chip this and he would land them something good. Options could be Tyson Barrie, Sami Vatanen and Matt Dumba.
Depending on who they protect/trade, players they could lose in the expansion draft include Vladislav Namestnikov, Alex Killorn, Slater Koekkoek or Jake Dotchin