In recent years, much as been made of the Tampa Bay Lightning and their salary cap situation. Many are amazed that both Steve Yzerman and Julien BriseBois have been able to put the roster together while complying with league rules, while others think it is unfair they are able to give players slightly less than market value due to the fact they don’t have a state tax.
Related: Tkachuk and Senators Have Yet to Discuss Extension
Those who were upset in the past are likely beside themselves now given the fact the Lightning are currently $18 million over the salary cap for the playoffs thanks to some maneuvering that some considered cheating by keeping Nikita Kucherov on long-term injured reserve until the postseason began. For those who are frustrated by the situation however, they can take solace in the fact that Tampa could be in some serious trouble with the cap moving forward.
For the 2021-22 season, the core of the Lightning’s roster remains under contract, meaning they should be fine next year. After that, however, is where things get interesting. The reason being that Brayden Point is set to become an unrestricted free agent as his three-year, $20.25 million deal he signed in 2019 will be up, and he will certainly require a raise.
When the Lightning signed Point to a three-year extension, they were able to get him at a very team friendly cap hit of $6.75. At the time of the deal, he was coming off of a career high 92 points but questions remained as to whether or not he could continue being that dominant moving forward. Since then, he has developed a reputation as one of the games elite two way players. He is an elite superstar and will likely want to get paid as such given that he took a discount on his previous deal and already has a Stanley Cup under his belt.
Point Was Dominant In Game 5 vs. Islanders
In Game 5 Monday night versus the New York Islanders, Brayden Point reminded the world once again just how good he is. The 25-year-old had a goal and an assist in the 8-0 walloping, and as a result has his team just one game away from the Stanley Cup Final for a second straight year. He has now scored in eight straight games and his 13 goals lead the league by a wide margin.
Given his age, this is a player the Lightning can’t afford to lose, and will do everything in their power to keep. However, in doing so, they will likely be forced to lose another key member or two from their current roster as a result. While they are in a great spot to win their second Stanley Cup in as many years, things could get interesting for them in just over a year’s time.
Who might the Lightning have to give up to make a Point extension a reality? We’ve already heard whispers that names like Tyler Johnson, Yanni Gourde, Andrej Palat and others could be on the move. Is a bigger name likely to leave?
Next: Asking Price For Jack Eichel “Just Crazy” Says NHL Executive
Pingback: Anders Lee May Be Returning to Islanders Lineup for Game 6