By It’s not as quiet as it seems. The ice may be empty in Tampa, but the Lightning’s offseason is already heating up with difficult roster decisions, looming free agency questions, and growing concerns about whether this current core can still compete for another Stanley Cup.
While the Bolts’ nation is left without hockey in Champa Bay, there is still plenty of action around the league. Also, the Lightning’s management team has to prepare for the 2026 NHL draft.
The 20-year-old forward Kayden Pitre (6th round, #181 overall in 2024) and the 19-year-old defenseman Jan Golicic (4th round, #118 overall in 2024) draft picks will become free agents on July 1. But that’s the least of Julien BriseBois’ problems.
Darren Raddysh was on top of the world during the regular season with 22 goals, 70 points, and a plus-24 ranking in 73 games, but his performance was significantly modest during the seven playoff contests. The Lightning defense failed entirely. It wasn’t just “one guy’s mistake” mode. It lacked leadership and experience when Victor Hedman was off the bench. Or Mikhail Sergachev. There is no reason to sugarcoat it. The structure and repeated issues are described in our previous articles. But the question remains, will BriseBois keep Raddysh in Tampa?
The 30-year-old blueliner’s exit interview didn’t look promising as he “thanked” everyone, as he knew he was leaving. He knows what he wants. His agents want to get it for him. For an unknown reason, JJ Moser (7A, 22P) received a heavy eight-year $54 million extension in December 2025. It’s an average of $6.75 per year. His numbers and on-ice performance weren’t as dynamic as Raddysh’s. So, how much should Darren’s team ask for? Do the math.
Some people prefer to express their unhappiness with Nikita Kucherov in the most outrageous way possible online, calling for his trade. Without his 44 goals and 130 points in the 2025-2026 regular-season campaign, would the Lightning make it to the playoffs? Another math quiz. Kucherov still got his one goal and six points against the Montreal Canadiens. Jake Guentzel was 42 points behind Nikita Kucherov in the regular season and recorded two goals and eight points in the first round. So, all data is visible and countable.
The Lightning’s draft perspectives look dry again for June 2026 due to previous trades and deals. They have no first-round options.
For Tampa Bay, this offseason feels less about retooling and more about defining the franchise’s direction. Questions surrounding Darren Raddysh’s future, concerns about the team’s defensive structure, and a lack of high-end draft capital have created pressure on Julien BriseBois to find answers quickly. And while criticism toward stars like Nikita Kucherov continues to surface after another early playoff exit, the reality is clear – without his elite production, the Lightning likely would not have reached the postseason at all. Now, Tampa enters another critical summer searching for balance between loyalty, cap management, and the urgency to keep a championship window alive.
