Hockey News has released its NHL Summer Splash Rankings, placing the Tampa Bay Lightning at 25th. The rankings evaluate each team’s offseason moves with a focus on whether they’ve strengthened or weakened their roster heading into the new season. Rather than simply judging the best or worst offseasons, the analysis considers how teams have supported their core players compared to expectations.
Now, turning to Tampa Bay’s offseason moves:
Additions:
The Lightning brought in Pontus Holmberg (LW), Boris Katchouk (LW), and Sam O’Reilly (C). During the season, they made significant acquisitions, including re-signing veteran center Yanni Gourde and adding right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle for the playoffs. GM Julien Brisebois secured Gourde with a six-year extension averaging $2.33 million annually, a valuable deal for a proven contributor. Apart from Holmberg, who was a depth player for Toronto with modest production last season, Tampa Bay’s summer additions mainly consist of players expected to serve in lower-line roles or develop for future NHL readiness. Katchouk spent last season mostly in the AHL despite NHL experience, while young center O’Reilly is seen as a prospect unlikely to join the NHL until 2025-26.
Departures:
Tampa Bay lost veteran defenseman Nick Perunovich (likely Purvix), who signed with Nashville for a notable pay raise, making it unaffordable for the Lightning. Perunovich had been a third-pair defenseman with limited ice time. Right winger Cam Atkinson and veteran center Luke Glendening, both mostly fourth-line players with limited impact last season, also departed. Isaac Howard was traded away as part of the deals bringing in new prospects. While none of these players were irreplaceable, their exit does decrease the team’s overall depth.
Conclusion:
The Lightning, eliminated last year by the Florida Panthers in the first playoff round, still have significant talent in stars like Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and others, supported by solid additions such as Jake Guentzel and Anthony Cirelli. Keeping Gourde was vital for maintaining depth, and Hedman’s contract extension last summer bolsters stability. However, the overall impression is that Tampa Bay’s offseason has not improved the team and may have slightly weakened it. This places them near the bottom of the Summer Splash Rankings, reflecting minimal change amidst a competitive field. The hope remains that the Lightning will return to the playoffs in 2025-26, with GM Brisebois known for making impactful in-season moves that could alter their fortunes.
Summer splash ranking:
25. Tampa Bay Lightning
26. Toronto Maple Leafs
27. Dallas Stars
28. Calgary Flames
29. Los Angeles Kings
30. Winnipeg Jets
31. Chicago Blackhawks
32. Buffalo Sabres
Fan Take: Tampa Bay’s cautious offseason highlights the delicate balance teams face between retaining core talent and adding depth, emphasizing strategic patience over blockbuster moves. For hockey fans, this signals a season of watching how savvy management can maximize existing strengths while navigating salary cap constraints—a storyline that adds intrigue to the NHL’s competitive landscape.
