It’s time for another round of NHL rumours on the eve of free agency. We’re nearing the start of a big holiday, but it’s not just Canada Day. The free agent signing period starts on Monday and teams are in full signing mode. It’s not just unrestricted and restricted free agents that can be signed. Once July 1 hits, players entering the last year of their deals can ink contract extensions. This edition of NHL rumours has the Tampa Bay Lightning in talks with one of their key defenders.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Tampa Bay in Talks with One if Their Main Blueliners
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said there’s been progress between Victor Hedman and the Lightning about an extension.
There’s been solid progress between the Lightning and Victor Hedman on a contract extension. Could get to the finish line this coming week.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 30, 2024
Analysis: Hedman is heading into the final year of his deal in the 2024-25 season. This means that he’s eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1. Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois probably doesn’t want the former Norris Trophy winner to get out on the open market.
Tampa Bay usually does a decent job of preventing their legacy players not hit free agent. (However, Steven Stamkos is one exception.) Hedman has been a stalwart in the Lightning lineup over the last 15 years and it’s likely he wants to finish his career in the Sunshine State.
The Defence Doesn’t Rest
Hedman is heading into the last year of his deal that sees him making $7.875 million per season. It’s logical that he’ll get something along the same lines with the cap rising once again.
There are always concerns about age and regression. The change to Jeff Blashill running the defence has been a bit of a bumpy one. However, the two-time Stanley Cup champion is still an effective player for his team. He’ll turn 34 during the next season, but he’s still one of the better blueliners in the league.
He was recently named as one of the six Swedes that will be the base of his home country’s roster for the inaugural Four Nations Faceoff. They don’t just hands out those honours for players just because they’re popular.
Lightning Striking
BriseBois is trying to make plenty of moves to bolster the lineup. The Lightning made a pair of trades to clear some cap space in dealing Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot on Saturday. However, BriseBois wasn’t done when he acquired the signing rights from the Carolina Hurricanes for Jake Guentzel.
Changes are coming to Tampa Bay, but the team is still trying to maintain its contender status. General managers always have to make some hard choices, but the Lightning want one or more good runs at adding a third Stanley Cup in recent seasons. As long as this core is together, the team will try to contend for a championship.
Some Lightning fans won’t be happy to see Stamkos leave if he does go. However, hockey is a business and unpopular choices have to be made sometimes. Despite this, bringing back Hedman seems like a smart play. The questions are for how much and for how long.
Main photo by: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
