3 players Lightning must trade in 2025 NHL offseason

The Lightning could also move players currently on their roster. With limited cap space, plus multiple players with no-trade or no-movement clauses, they would need to be choosy on who they move. Of the top eight forwards in terms of salary, just three of them either have a modified clause or no clause at all. The first one is Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov is an award-winning forward with a modified no-trade clause, making it highly unlikely the Lightning will trade him away. Another option is Brandon Hagel, but the 26-year-old is just in the second year of an eight-year deal, and clearly a part of the cornerstone of the franchise.

This leaves Bjorkstrand. There are multiple attractive reasons to trade the winger. To begin with, his cap hit is $5.4 million this year, which, for someone who was playing on the third line at the end of the season, is too high. Second, he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. With the Lightning also needing to re-sign multiple defensive players next summer, bringing back Bjorkstrand seems unlikely. Finally, his modified no-trade clause allows just a 10-team no-trade list. This allows the Lightning to still shop him to multiple other potential suitors.

The Dane played just 18 games with the Lightning before needing surgery and missing the playoffs. Still, he has been highly reliable overall. He played 79 games overall this year and has played 79 or more games in four straight seasons. Further, he had 45 or more points in each of the last five seasons as well. While he may not be a top-line forward, he will be a solid addition to the middle-six of most squads.

Tampa Bay should ship out RFA Gage Goncalves while his value is high

The Lightning have plenty of players under contract, even with the limited cap space. Currently, they have just three free agents, with just one restricted free agent. Still, making a play to move their one restricted free agent may be worth it. The Lightning are missing a first, third, and sixth-round pick this year, while also missing their first-round pick in 2026 and 2027.

Gage Goncalves is the only restricted free agent for the Lightning this upcoming season. Tampa Bay currently has 12 forwards under NHL contract, and while they could move Bjorkstrand, they could use that money to fill the roster hole, or bring up a minor league player such as Dyllan Gill or Roman Schmidt. Goncalves is also coming off a solid season. He scored eight goals with 12 assists in 60 total games playing on the fourth line primarily. He was great in the playoffs, which could increase his value. In the series with the Panthers, he scored once and added three assists in just five games.

The former second-round pick is not expected to sign a massive contract, but with just over $3 million in cap space, plus the need for draft capital for the Lightning, it could make sense to trade the forward.

The Lightning are in a solid spot this offseason. They have almost their entire core under contract, even with the limited cap space they have. Still, planning for the future and improving is a must if they plan to get past the Panthers. To do that, they have to move players to get draft capital, while erasing the mistakes of the past.