While the Lightning’s core is intact for several years, the 2018-19 season feels like it could be the last chance before changes inevitably occur next summer.
Major changes in terms of personnel and salary cap structure probably won’t take place until after the 2018-19 season. The biggest change could be on the blue line, with the previously-mentioned group of four defensemen who are pending UFA’s in 2019. In addition, three forwards are up for pay raises a year from now. Kucherov is the big one, as his three-year deal expires at that time. One of the biggest bargains in the league with a $4.76 million AAV, Kucherov will probably command close to what Stamkos makes at $8.5 million a year.
Brayden Point is also due for a big raise when his entry level contract ends in 2019, and you can expect him to bypass the bridge deal and go straight to a long-term extension. One guy to watch out for is Yanni Gourde, who finished his rookie year with 25 goals. He’ll be a UFA in 2019, and will probably earn a raise over the $1 million AAV he’s earning on his current deal. However, his performance in 2018-19 will go a long way in determining how much of a raise he receives.
This could also be the final season we see Ryan Callahan in a Lightning uniform. He has two years remaining on his contract that carries a $5.8 million cap hit. However, with Kucherov, Point, and Gourde all due to get more money, Callahan could be the odd man out in the summer of 2019. Don’t be surprised if the team buys out his contract at that point, as the buyout would be cheaper by then and would only be spread out over two seasons.
Although this season didn’t end the way the Lightning or their fans wanted, the window is still open.
This is still a stacked roster expected to return nearly everyone from a team that set franchise records for wins (54), road wins (25), points (113), road points (53), goals (290), home goals (145) and road goals (145) in 2017-18. It’s natural to be disappointed and to feel like this season was a failure, as the Lightning have become a franchise whose goal is the Stanley Cup, not just making long playoff runs. The expectation level is understandably high and it continues to be Cup or bust for this team.
However, major changes aren’t needed going into next season. Just a few tweaks. So back away from the ledge, relax, take a deep breath, and stop yelling for the coach to be fired or for star players to get traded. This team’s window is still open, although changes could loom in 2019, especially if we’re having this same discussion and I’m writing this same article a year from now.
