TAMPA, FL (WFLA) – Hockey’s offseason kicks into high gear this weekend at the NHL Draft, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are expected to make some headlines over the next few days. Here are some story lines for Bolts fans to keep an eye on:
1) The NHL’s legal tampering window opens at midnight tonight. That means other teams can contact and negotiate with Steven Stamkos for the next five days. The Lightning can still re-sign him at any time, and he doesn’t become an unrestricted free agent until July 1. Tampa Bay can offer him an 8-year contract; other clubs can only offer 7 years. Reports have surfaced indicating the Bolts have offered Stammer 8 years, $8.5 million per season.
2) Ben Bishop is on the trading block. Big Ben still has one year left on his contract, with a salary cap hit of just under $6 million. However, Andrei Vasilevskiy proved to be more than a capable starter in the Eastern Conference Final, and the Bolts can only protect one goaltender in next year’s NHL Expansion Draft. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to re-sign Bishop only to lose him to Las Vegas. Expect Bishop to be moved tonight or this weekend. There are plenty of suitors- the Calgary Flames seem the most interested right now.
3) The Tampa Bay Lightning have nine selections in the NHL Draft, which begins tonight. The Bolts aren’t supposed to make their first selection until #27 overall… But if Bishop can be flipped, Tampa Bay may just move up in the first round. It’s more likely a Bishop trade would be heavily focused on draft picks than a straight talent-for-talent swap. Remember, General Manager Steve Yzerman isn’t just clearing cap space for Stamkos. The Bolts have a young core, and a lot of really talented players are going to be due healthy raises soon, including Victor Hedman.
