Which Lightning Deadline Addition is Making the Bigger Impact & Perry Reaches a Milestone
Also, the Lightning player that got away and Stamkos to Nashville is unrealistic.
Welcome to the THW Tampa Bay Lightning Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Lightning writers.
In today’s edition, we compare the two Lightning trade acquisitions in the latest Lightning Round, look at the career of Brett Howden and more.
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Now, on to the good stuff…
Lightning Late-Season Prospect Check
March , 2024 by Harrison Smajovits (Premium THW Substack content)
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospect pool experienced a shuffle on the final day of the trade deadline. In the trade for forward Anthony Duclair from the San Jose Sharks, the Lightning traded away defenseman Jack Thompson.
With Thompson out of the system now, it’s a good time to check in on the remaining prospects in the Lightning’s system. The already shallow prospect pool still has some notable names that could make an impact soon.
Duclair vs. Dumba: Who’s the Lightning’s Better Deadline Addition?
March 20, 2024 by Nick Haydon
Since the All-Star Break, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been inconsistent at best and plain bad at worst. The team is 9-8, and on three separate occasions, they have lost at least two games in a row. Conversely, they also have won at least two games in a row three separate times. Clearly, general manager (GM) Julien BriseBois recognized the team needed help at the trade deadline, especially with Mikhail Sergachev’s injury. Rumors swirled that Noah Hanifin would be joining the Lightning, but he landed in Las Vegas. So BriseBois pivoted and acquired defenseman Matt Dumba and forward Anthony Duclair to bolster the roster.
Lightning That Got Away: Brett Howden
March 16, 2024 by Eugene Helfrick
The goal of any rebuilding franchise is to one day have a core of talent that is capable of competing for the Stanley Cup, and a stable of developing prospects that can either step up into the lineup when called upon or be traded for veteran players who can help you get over the top. This talent comes in all forms, from top-line superstars to bottom-pairing defensemen, and in a hard-cap league, this depth can be difficult to manage year in and year out.
Predators Adding Steven Stamkos in Free Agency Is Unrealistic
March 14, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been consistently seen as one of the strongest teams in the NHL from season to season. They have won several Stanley Cups with their current aging core, and seem to be on pace to have another strong push this season. One story surrounding the Lightning this season which could be a distraction is the contract negotiation situation surrounding Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos. He is a pending unrestricted free agent who could be the most sought-after free agent should he become available. According to Greg Wyshynski and Jeff Marek, the Nashville Predators have been listed as a potential fit for Stamkos and could target him if he does hit the open market on July 1st.
Corey Perry Reaches 900 Points with Assist vs Avalanche
March 17, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Edmonton Oilers took an unfortunate overtime loss on Saturday (Mar. 16) night against the Colorado Avalanche at home, but one positive did come out of the game for the Oilers. Veteran forward Corey Perry got a secondary assist on the Oilers’ second goal of the night, which Sam Carrick scored, giving Perry the 900th point of his career. With the one point they got and the Vancouver Canucks losing, the Oilers are now only eight points back from being first in the Pacific Division with three games in hand.Â