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Lightning’s biggest mistake so far in 2026 NHL free agency
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- Lightning’s biggest mistake so far in 2026 NHL free agency
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The Tampa Bay Lightning fell in round one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And they had one major goal in mind heading into the 2026 offseason. They needed to find a way to get over the first-round hump and return to their status as a true Stanley Cup contender.
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The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 before making a third straight Finals appearance in 2022. Since then, Tampa has been one-and-done in the postseason. In 2023, they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs . In 2024 and 2025, they fell to their intrastate rival, the Florida Panthers . And in 2026, it was the Montreal Canadiens who took them down .
It's not as if this team isn't good enough, either. Sure, they are getting older. Victor Hedman isn't the player he used to be anymore. And Andrei Vasilevskiy has shown that he is human from time to time. But this team still stacks up incredibly well on paper.
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Of course, looking good on paper and succeeding on the ice are two separate things. That's what brings us to this look at what the Lightning did in 2026 NHL Free Agency. Tampa certainly made some good moves, but there is one questionable decision among the bunch. Here is the biggest mistake the Lightning have made so far in 2026 NHL Free Agency.
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Jeffrey Viel 's long-term contract is a bit steep for Lightning
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The Lightning overall had a solid offseason. Tampa managed to sign John Carlson despite his UFA rights being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes . Carlson is getting up there in age, but he remains a very impactful defenseman. And his two-year contract is fair both in terms of term and price tag.
Tampa also signed Ilya Mikheyev in NHL Free Agency. Mikheyev gives them depth in the bottom-six who can impact the forecheck, as well as adding an element of speed to the forward group. Tampa also made an intriguing trade with the Maple Leafs , sending Nick Paul to Toronto in exchange for Denis Hildeby and two draft picks.
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The Lightning made another signing in the form of Jeffrey Viel. This one, however, is less understandable than the others. With the other moves, there was a clear logic behind them, and they were done at a reasonable acquisition cost.
Carlson replaces Darren Raddysh , who joined the Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade. Mikheyev improves the bottom six. Hildeby gives the Lightning an upgrade behind Vasilevskiy, and parting with Paul is reasonable considering his down season in 2025-26.
Viel is certainly a solid player. He came up big for the Anaheim Ducks a few times during their run in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. His $2.5 million isn't entirely unreasonable, especially on a shorter-term contract. That's the thing, though. The Lightning signed him to a five-year contract .
Viel likely won't play more than fourth-line minutes with the Lightning. Mikheyev is older, but profiles to be more than a fourth liner, and he can chip in 12-20 goals a season with nearly 40 points. That sort of projection just doesn't exist with Viel.
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Making matters worse is that the Lightning gave Viel a full no-trade clause for the first two seasons, then a modified no-trade clause for the final three years. This is not the most unmovable contract in the world, but Tampa did make it harder on themselves if they need to clear a roster spot or if things don't work for either side in 2026-27. Viel is a solid player, but the commitment is a bit rich given his role and skillset.
