How about if we simply traded all people?

What’s the purpose, proper? Why run it again with the identical line-up solely to get the identical outcome? It’s executed. The window is closed. Time to start out recent.

At numerous factors all through the season we’ve all had these ideas, proper? So, for the reason that Darren Raddysh drama has reached a conclusion, and we’re nonetheless a couple of days away from the draft, we right here at Raw Charge determined to have some enjoyable. We may all use a bit of extra enjoyable, proper?

Yes, different groups are literally making offers proper now. The Bolts will in all probability be part of them in some unspecified time in the future, however for now, they’re huddled up of their decision-making room at Channelside Drive. So, we’ve determined to take the initiative. Not solely are we going to make some trades. We’re going to make ALL OF THE TRADES.

For the previous couple of weeks we’ve been kicking round a thought experiment. Could we flip all the roster? After all, if we’re going to blow issues up, we don’t need to take any half-measures. It seems that sure, as a matter of reality, we will. We even managed to supply a cap-compliant roster. Is it a profitable roster? Oh, goodness no. Still, it’s a hockey workforce with some bones for achievement sooner or later.

A few caveats right here. We did attempt to preserve it practical. That means no Connor McDavid-for-Dominic James offers. The wants of the groups we traded Lightning gamers to have been taken into consideration. What we did ignore have been no-movement, no-trade clauses. Hey, with out understanding the small print of these items, we actually can’t do that. And it will take away a number of the enjoyable. This is all about enjoyable!

We did take into accounts roster and cap limits. Honestly, the cap factor wasn’t too unhealthy contemplating the timing (nobody has spent cash in free company but) and the bump within the cap ceiling. We additionally weren’t involved with constructing a workforce that will contend for the Stanley Cup anytime within the subsequent three seasons (so lengthy Benchmark Arena sellout streak). Rather, we stripped the workforce of gamers for future property, a couple of core items, and a few commerce property down the road.

How did we do? Probably fairly badly, however it was enjoyable!

This is the roster we began with. (We’re not worrying about these three gamers within the press field. Our ruling that Max Crozier, like Jakob Pelletier, wasn’t fairly a full-time member of the roster as he performed lower than half of the season).

Trade Number 1:

Jake Guentzel ($3 million retained), J.J. Moser, and the Lightnings 2027 2nd Round Pick to San Jose Sharks for Michael Misa and the Sharks 2026 1st spherical decide (4 general)

The Sharks are executed rebuilding and able to begin competing. They have a plethora of younger forwards and not need to be drafting within the Top Five. So, they get a confirmed scorer and a top-pairing defender. The Lightning get a middle with a ton of potential and a top-four decide on this yr’s draft so as to add one other cornerstone piece to the rebuild.

Yes, it’s a very long time to retain a portion of Guentzel’s contract, and sure the Sharks aren’t hurting for cap house, however down the street issues may get quite a bit tighter as they signal all of these younger gamers to long-term offers.

Trade Number 2:

Andrei Vasilevskiy and a 2026 fifth Round Pick (initially Toronto’s) to Edmonton for Darnell Nurse, Matthew Savoie, a 2026 2nd Round Pick, and a 2028 1st Round Pick

Honestly, this deal was going to be quite a bit bigger initially and embody Leon Draisaitl coming the opposite approach, however that doesn’t slot in with the general ethos of this tear-it-to-the-studs plan. Instead, Edmonton lastly will get the goaltender they should put them excessive they usually unload Nurse’s contract (hey, the Lightning should get to the wage ground). The Bolts get a promising right-shot winger together with some invaluable future draft picks.

Did we need to embody Isaac Howard on this deal for much more enjoyable? Of course, however Savoie is the prospect we determined could be a greater match.

Trade Number 3:

Brayden Point and a 2026 2nd Round Pick (initially Edmonton’s) to Minnesota for Ryan Hartman, Danila Yurov, and Jesper Wallstedt

We’re getting in earlier than Minnesota cashes in the remainder of their prospects for Dylan Larkin. Point, with a chip on his shoulder, goes north to be their number-one heart and the Lightning get Wallstedt to be their future goaltender. Yurov may develop as a strong two-way participant whereas Hartman provides the Lightning some expertise and may very well be moved on the deadline. Point lastly goes to the workforce that Tampa Bay leap-frogged on draft day to pick out him. Balance is restored to the universe.

Trade Number 4:

Yanni Gourde to Seattle for a 2026 sixth Round Pick

A palate-cleansing deal. After a few large offers, a pleasant small one which returns Gourde to a spot the place he’s acquainted. Honestly, we thought of throwing the ol’ “future considerations” into the return discipline, however a sixth Round Pick is about the identical.

Trade Number 5:

Erik Cernak to Anaheim for Alex Killorn and a third Round Pick

Another commerce associate that has the potential for an even bigger deal, however we determined to maintain it fairly easy. Anaheim will get their Radko Gudas/Jacob Touba alternative at an affordable value. They additionally clear about $1 million in wage by sending Killorn again to Tampa. The Harvard Man finishes his profession the place it began and wears the “C” on his sweater in 2026-27.

Trade Number 6:

Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and a 2026 fifth Round Pick (initially Seattle’s) to Chicago for Andrei Burakovsky, Tyler Bertuzzi, and a 2027 2nd Round Pick (initially Vancouver’s)

Speaking of heading again to the place issues began, Hagel returns to The Windy City and brings his good buddy Anthony Cirelli together with him. You didn’t assume we’d cut up the dynamic duo up, did you? Yes, the return is a bit of mild on this, however it’s a number of wage to tackle down the street for a Chicago workforce that’s going to chop a really giant examine to Conor Bedard within the subsequent 12 months.

Trade Number 7:

Zemgus Girgensons to Buffalo for a 2027 seventh Round Pick

While we’re on the reunion kick, how about yet another? Girgensons will get to return to the Sabres and expertise the playoffs with the workforce he fought so laborious for throughout nearly all of his profession.

Trade Number 8:

Nikita Kucherov and Dominic James to the New York Rangers for EJ Emery, Will Cuylie, a 2026 1st Round Pick, and a 2028 1st Round Pick

The final of the blockbuster offers sees the Lightning cashing of their finest participant for a high defensive prospect in Emery and two first-round picks. The Rangers leap begin their transfer again into rivalry (we’re assuming their is an extension for Kucherov on this deal) with out dropping any main components of their present roster. Oddly sufficient, after the Brady Tkachuk deal, we’re questioning if the return is just too mild.

Trade Number 9:

Nick Paul and a 2028 1st Round Pick (initially New York’s) to Detroit for Trey Augustine

The Lightning be part of the ranks of tandem goaltending groups as they shortly swap a kind of first spherical picks for Augustine, one of many high NHL-drafted prospects taking part in between the pipes. Detroit additionally has Sebastian Cossa able to take over, so that they received’t thoughts dealing Augustine for a future first. Nick Paul helps plug up the middle of the ice after Dylan Larkin is dealt,

Trade Number 10:

Gage Goncalves and a 2027 sixth Round Pick to Vegas for Alex Pietrangelo

It was at this level that we realized we have been going to be nicely beneath the wage cap ground. So, the Portuguese Pistol and a draft decide head over to the desert for Alex Pietrangelo’s cap hit. He’s not prone to return to the ice, so the Lightning can put him and his $8.8 million hit on IR.

Trade Number 11:

Ryan McDonagh and a 2027 2nd Round Pick to Boston for Mason Lohrei

Finding a touchdown spot for him wasn’t the simplest, however Boston appears match for his taking part in model. The Bruins may not be keen to half with Lohrei, a 25-year-old defender in a one-for-one deal, however the 2nd Round decide must be sufficient of a sweetener for them to half with the left-shot defenseman.

Trade Number 12:

Emil Lilleberg to Calgary for Joel Hanley

We don’t know why. It’s a commerce.

Trade Number 13:

Pontus Holmberg to Dallas for a 2027 4th Round Pick

Holmberg simply looks like a Dallas Star. Kind of shocked he hasn’t performed for them but. They will want some forwards, particularly in the event that they lose Jason Robertson or Mavrik Borque to offersheets or trades. Holmberg received’t substitute the offense, however he’ll give them some strong depth.

Trade Number 14:

Charle-Edouard D’Astous and a 2026 2nd Round Pick to Philadelphia for Rasmus Ristolainen and a 2027 third Round Pick (initially Los Angeles’)

If we had a take two, perhaps we put McDonagh on this commerce, however it’s mainly a 2nd Round Pick for Ristolainenen, who has been dangled in commerce rumors. Philadelphia has loads of cap house, however additionally they want new offers for Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. That will lower into a big portion of their accessible cash. The Lightning’s capability to soak up all of Ristolainen’s cap hit would reduce the return a bit. Plus D’Astous is a strong depth defenseman.

Trade Number 15:

Victor Hedman ($4 million retained) and Conor Geekie to Winnipeg for Brad Lambert, Hayden Fleury, and a 2027 2nd Round Pick (initially Buffalo’s)

Yeah, sort of really feel unhealthy sending Victor Hedman to Winnipeg. Almost determined to waive the “trade everybody” rule in his case in order that he may spend his complete profession with Tampa Bay. Alas, that’s the not the purpose of this train. The second a part of the deal entails swapping a few prospects that may want a change of surroundings whereas the Lighting decide up a draft decide for consuming half 50% of Hedman’s wage.

Final Move:

Jonas Johansson positioned on waivers and assigned to Syracuse

Okay, positive, it wasn’t a commerce, however we nonetheless made a transfer to maintain that last spot. We thought of shopping for him out, however with the huge quantity of cap house that the Lightning have in spite of everything of those offers, paying him to be within the AHL was a negligible value and it wouldn’t carry into the longer term.

Call-Ups:

Part of the enjoyable of buying and selling everybody on the roster is that it created alternatives to name up some prospects and get their NHL careers going. Congratulations to Dylan Duke, Jakob Pelletier, Benjamin Rautiainen, Sam O’Reilly, and Max Groshev. Max Crozier, you’re going full-time on the roster.

Draft Capital:

The Lightning decide up two top-five picks within the 2026 draft to assist kickstart the rebuild. While they may not have any first-round picks in 2027, this roster may end within the bottom-ten and the commerce safety kicks in for their very own decide that Seattle presently holds. If that occurs, then they provide Seattle their 2028 first-rounder, however nonetheless have Edmonton’s to make use of or commerce.

The Final Roster

So, right here is your fictional 2026-27 Tampa Bay Lightning roster after we moved off everybody on final yr’s roster:

Postscript:

So, we forgot that printed rosters on PuckPedia will be commented on. Wow, San Jose followers are salty over what is clearly a fantasy situation. Although our favourite remark was “Cernak doesn’t waive”.