Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Mission Impossible

June 13, 2013, 8:50 AM ET [172 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Remember to Give Michael a Follow on Twitter!

Here's the blog for you, Arty. You can sleep easy now.

With nearly $62MM already committed to 18 players in 2013-14, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is going to have his hands full as he looks to shore up the team’s roster with under $3MM of cap space. With a gaping gorge on his team’s blue line, Yzerman has his work cut out for him. The problem, though, is that the Lightning just doesn’t have all that much money to spend. It’s not as simple as making a trade, or signing a player. Simply put, $2.4MM probably isn’t enough to send the Lightning from worst to first.

While the Bolts will receive some cap relief due to Mattias Ohlund’s injury, it is abundantly clear that difficult decisions are coming. Focusing on defense for a moment, the Unrestricted Free Agent market already looks haunting. Sergei Gonchar has been locked up at $5MM per season by the Dallas Stars, and Mark Streit is reportedly looking for similar money over a long term from the Philadelphia Flyers. Given the precedent that the aforementioned contract and negotiation have set, shoring up the Lightning’s blue line won’t be a cheap mission.

Combine the Lightning’s issue on the blue line with the fact that Yzerman may be looking to add a little bit of depth up front, and this summer starts to look mighty scary thanks to the team’s cap situation. It’s hard to imagine that the 2013-14 Lightning will be able to do much more than infuse the roster with young talent unless big changes are made. While the ‘Tampacuse’ young guns certainly have talent, it’s a little bit much to expect that a woefully inexperienced roster will compete for the Stanley Cup. As established, in order to truly turn the Lightning into a competitor, Yzerman is going to have to add a piece or two via free agency or trade.

Outside Tampa, hockey fans will immediately point to Vincent Lecavalier’s contract as an area from which to seek relief. Buying out Lecavalier during the amnesty period would certainly free up the Lightning’s cap situation. However, doing so could do the Lightning more harm than good. Lecavalier is still this team’s captain, and he still produces at a very good clip. Prior to getting injured last season, Lecavalier was arguably the team’s best player. When on his game, he’s physical, smart, and offensively dominant. There are few second line centers in the game with the same abilities as the man who wears number four for the Tampa Bay Lightning. If the team was to buy him out, it’s hard to imagine any free agent bringing the same qualities for half the price. So, scratch that idea.

Realistically, the Lightning’s best option this off-season might be to unload Ryan Malone either through a trade or by buying him out. At this point, it’s almost a must. Getting Malone and his $4.5MM cap hit off the books would simplify things in a much needed way. The Lightning could use that cap space to sign a solid, defensive defender and perhaps even add a depth forward. Combine those potential additions with the young infusion that was mentioned earlier, and the Lightning’s roster actually looks decent. As much as everyone in Bolts Nation loves Ryan Malone, his cap hit makes him expendable when players like Brett Connolly, Richard Panik, and Ondrej Palat are ready to make the jump.

With only $2.4MM in cap space at the moment and a multitude of moves and promotions to make, the Lightning needs to do something. Steve Yzerman needs to make a move that will free up this team’s financial situation, and he needs to do it prior to July 5th. Without doing something, making any change to the roster during the summer of 2013 would be a near impossible task. The issue, right now, is simply that he doesn’t have enough room to work.

As of this moment, the Lightning are in a less than desirable situation. With holes on the roster and no money left to fill them, the team is truly dealing with Mission Impossible. No, Tom Cruise isn’t going to show up to magically save the day. Steve Yzerman is going to have to make tough choices, and smart decisions. This summer, ultimately, could be what defines his tenure as the Lightning’s general manager. The right moves now could potentially turn the Lightning into a very competitive and dangerous team heading towards 2013-14 and beyond. No pressure, Mr. Yzerman. Bolts Nation is behind you every step of the way.

As always, thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion: » 172 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Michael Stuart
» Brown, Paul Combine for Canada's Golden Goal at World Championship
» Senators to Select 10th Overall; What Should They Do with the Pick?
» Finding the Right Centerpiece
» Senators Team Awards Ballot
» Melnyk Speaks