The Tampa Bay Lightning failed to make the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs and it is now time to move forward and focus on the offseason. This summer promises to be a busy one for the Bolts as they look to make improvements with the hopes of contending for the cup next season.
One of the biggest tasks Lightning General Manager must undertake involves his valuable restricted free agents. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Jonathan Drouin are set to become RFA's and signing them all to new deals could prove to be a challenge. It may be in Yzerman's best interest to try and move one in an attempt to improve Tampa Bay's blueline.
Tyler Johnson seems to be the one most likely headed elsewhere. There is no denying that he has been a key piece to this organization since he joined the Lightning full-time in 2013-14. He has recorded 89 goals and 122 assists in 308 games and really took on a leadership when Steven Stamkos was lost to injury this season.
However, the emergence of rookie center, Brayden Point, has made Johnson an expendable asset. Point really made an impact this season proving he can handle playing top-six minutes for the Lightning. In 68 games, he managed to score 18 goals and add 22 helpers. He was also a big reason why this team stayed in the hunt for the playoffs until the very end.
Ideally, the Lightning would love to hold onto Johnson. I mean there is never such thing as enough talented players on your roster. Realistically, their cap space is needed to make improvements elsewhere and they have sufficient depth at the forward positions.
Point will prove to be a solid second-line center, making the loss of Johnson easier to swallow. Tampa Bay can only hope that they are able to reel in some valuable blueline talent in exchange for the 26-year-old center.