Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators
Tampa Bay Lightning Still Wanting to Re-Sign Steven Stamkos
The Tampa Bay Lightning made headlines on Tuesday as they reacquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators.
However, the key to the trade is that Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois has talked about having enough cap space to re-sign Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.
NHL Rumors: Real Talks Between Steven Stamkos and Lightning Will Begin Next Month
Diandra Loux of Hockey News: “Julien BriseBois he said negotiations with Stamkos are still ongoing. He said they still have enough cap space to re-sign Steven Stamkos after signing McDonagh. #GoBolts”
Erik Erlendsson of Lightning Insider: Julien BriseBois he said today that even if they got Ryan McDonagh, they feel there is enough room to do what they need to accomplish this summer, including signing Steven Stamkos, and he said negotiations are ongoing. #GoBolts
Regarding the talks between the Lightning and the Stamkos Camp, BriseBois talked about that with the media.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois: “They’re moving on,” BriseBois shared. “It would be wrong to say moral. I don’t think anything has changed. Steven was talking in front saying he wanted to stay. That is his strong passion. I mentioned what we like the most too. Now, we are still working on how to do this so that it makes sense for both parties.”
The Nashville Predators Are Not Made to Cope
The Ryan McDonagh Trade was the first of many as the Nashville Predators continue to rebuild their team and get younger.
Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean: “Barry Trotz says Ryan McDonagh has asked in exit meetings that the team consider trading him this summer. Trotz says today’s trade was more about that request than opening up room.
NHL Rumors: Could Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators Meet on Mitch Marner Deal?
The Predators need to clear cap space next season, and with $12 million in salary cap space and trades between Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen, Mattias Ekholm, and Kyle Turris, moving McDonagh made sense for GM Bary Trotz.
Preds GM Barry Trotz: “Maybe some flexibility now,” Trotz said. “Just because of the retention and all the things that we’re doing with what I did last summer, this gives us a little more flexibility to maybe work a little bit in free agency that maybe we wouldn’t have thought about. be in.”
The big question for the Predators is what to do with goalkeeper Juuse Saros
Nick Kieser Executive Producer of 102.5 The Game: “Barry Trotz says he talked to Saros. He said it was good and he will keep her updated on the decisions and talk to her agent. If there is an agreement you will do what is best for the team. Four to five years down the line it starts one or the other. @1025TheGame”