The 2023-24 season is officially complete for the Tampa Bay Lightning. This past season, the Bolts experienced many milestones and some rough patches. Following the conclusion of round one against the Florida Panthers, the Lightning have decisions to make this summer. The franchise icon, Captain Steven Stamkos, needs a new contract. Furthermore, trade deadline acquisitions Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba are unrestricted free agents. Tampa Bay is tight against the salary cap, and the club must make roster moves to remain competitive next season. Let’s analyze three potential off-season Lightning Trade chips.
Three Potential Trade Chips For The Tampa Bay Lightning This Summer
Conor Sheary (F)
The clear-cut, most likely to go in a trade is middle-six forward Conor Sheary. Julien BriseBois signed Sheary to a three-year, $6 million contract last summer with an annual average of $2 million per season. Sheary’s deal shifts to a modified no-movement clause for the 2024-25 season, so there is potential to find a trade partner.
The left winger was unproductive this season with the Bolts while battling multiple injuries. Sheary recorded four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 57 games. The undrafted forward averaged roughly 11 minutes of ice time per game, a career-low. Unfortunately, Sheary struggled to fit into Jon Cooper’s system. Before the season, Sheary’s unique chance-generation style and his previous performance with top stars showed signs of an under-the-radar acquisition. However, Sheary found himself in a depth role where he became an offensive blackhole like the rest of the bottom-six forwards. With two years remaining at $2 million per season, the Lightning may turn to their young guns like Gage Goncalves or Issac Howard to fill middle-six winger roles.
Nick Perbix (D)
A name not many suspected to be on the trade radar at the start of the season was Nicklaus Perbix. After proving he was a National Hockey League-level defenceman during the 2022-23 season, Perbix made the opening night roster without question on a shallow Tampa Bay blue line. He appeared to be a solid puck-moving defender at times. However, Perbix fell out of favor with Jon Cooper towards the end of the season. His two tallies and 22 helpers for 24 points offer a decent trade piece for draft capital this off-season. Plus, the emergence of Maxwell Crozier and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg fills the third pairing for next season.
Perbix is signed next season at a cap hit of $1.125 million, so his deal is cost-effective for any team with interest. Perbix is only 25 years old, and we can see interest from contending teams to bolster the back end. On the other hand, rebuilders to maximize his potential. The Lightning must gain draft capital as a rebuild may be the next direction for the NHL franchise in Tampa Bay.
Erik Cernak (D)
While Cernak is a fan favourite in Tampa Bay, the franchise is a business at the end of the day. It may be in BriseBois’ best interest to find a trade for Cernak this summer. After an underwhelming years filled with injuries, Cerank’s physical style of play is hard to maintain with age. He notched two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 69 games. Cernak has yet to play an 82-game season at 26 years old.
The Slovakian defenceman is under contract for the next seven seasons, and his no-trade clause kicks in to start the 2024-25 season. If the Lightning do not see Cernak in their long-term plans, the time to move him is now. With a pedigree of physicality and experience, Cernak’s resume might catch a solid return. However, a $5.2 million cap hit for the next seven seasons is not intriguing to most, but we are confident the Lightning can work out a deal.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
