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2 early Lightning trade candidates after Game 7 Canadiens loss
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- 2 early Lightning trade candidates after Game 7 Canadiens loss
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Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
There was a portion of the 2025-26 season that the Tampa Bay Lightning were the dominant team in the NHL. After a relatively unimpressive start, the Lightning steadied themselves and then ran off a 19-1-1 streak for head coach Jon Cooper. At that point in the season, the Lightning played with incredible confidence. They knew that an early deficit was just a small problem that they could come back from and still win the game.
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The combination of Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and hard-shooting Darren Raddysh came through on a regular basis. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was as dependable as ever. The high point of that streak came in the February 1 outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium when they were trailing the Boston Bruins by a 5-1 margin at the midway point of the game. The Lightning roared back with four goals to send the game into overtime. Star winger Jake Guentzel netted the winner in a shootout.
The Lightning would continue their winning ways through the Olympic break. However, when the good times came to an end, they lost their grip on the Atlantic Division.
They suffered a pair of defeats to the Buffalo Sabres, including an 8-7 goal-scoring fest on the road. That game gave the Sabres the confidence they could race past the Lightning and take the division title.
The Lightning ended the season tied for second with the Montreal Canadiens, setting up a first-round series between Tampa Bay and Montreal. The Lightning had home-ice advantage because they had more regulation wins than the Habs, and when Tampa Bay came up with a 1-0 overtime win in Game 6 in Montreal, it seemed like the Lightning had an advantage because they had home ice in the decisive seventh game.
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They outshot Montreal 29-9, but the Canadiens outlasted Tampa Bay by a 2-1 margin
Lightning has been ousted in the first round four consecutive seasons
Cooper led the Lightning to consecutive Stanley Cups in 2020 and '21 and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in the following season, but it has been a painful postseason experience for Tampa Bay since then.
While the talent level is still high with Kucherov, Guentzel, Victor Hedman and Vasilevskiy, it does not seem likely that the "old gang" can still get the job done for Tampa Bay.
Cooper may feel loyalty to a majority of his veterans, but it is time for general manager Julien BriseBois to make some moves that will infuse some youth and speed into the Tampa Bay organization.
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One of the players that could be sent packing is veteran center Brayden Point. In the past, Point was one of the NHL's most explosive and clutch players.
Point has largely been brilliant for the Lightning throughout his career. His quickness, balance and amazing release has allowed him to score 40 goals or more four times in his career. He hit the 51-goal mark in the 2022-23 season and that's his career high. He followed with 46 and 42 goals the following two seasons.
However, Point was held to 18 goals and 50 points while playing 63 games last season.
The 30-year-old center has done enough in his career that one or more teams may be willing to pay a premium price for him, expecting him to get back to an elite level. If the Lightning can get a sharp young skater and a premium draft pick, it may be time to trade Point.
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McDonagh has value for a young and upcoming team
The Lightning did not have Hedman for much of the season, as he played in just 33 games. He missed nearly all of the late-season games as well as the playoff series with the Canadiens. He needed to take a mental break to clear his head.
Look for Hedman to return to a regular spot on the blue line next season. His presence should make Cooper's team that much tougher to compete against.
However, the Lightning have another veteran defenseman who they should be able to deal in the offseason. Ryan McDonagh has had a wonderful career that has included eight seasons with the New York Rangers, seven with the Lightning and two with the Nashville Predators.
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McDonagh had one of his best seasons in 2024-25 as he scored 4 goals and 27 assists for 31 points along with a league-best plus-43 rating .
He did not come close to that figure last season as he finished with 21 points and a plus-14 rating. McDonagh still has value and he could be an ideal player for an up-and-coming team that needs a steady veteran on the blue line.
Those teams include the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks or even the Chicago Blackhawks. Trading McDonagh for a young player or a high draft pick could be a winning move for the Lightning.
Related: 2 early Lightning trade targets after Game 7 Canadiens loss
