The Tampa Bay Lightning offseason is in full swing. Late Monday evening, they acquired 19-year-old centre Sam O’Reilly, who was originally drafted 32nd overall by Edmonton in 2024. Tampa Bay traded the rights to top prospect Isaac Howard, sending the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner to the Edmonton Oilers in a swap of former first-round picks. The deal ends a rocky chapter between the Lightning and Howard, whose relationship as one of Tampa Bay’s top prospect, unraveled this summer. Howard made it clear he wanted to pick his NHL destination. This fits the approach of a team with limited cash under the salary cap this summer, as the Bolts retool for next season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Offseason Make Smaller Moves
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s offseason trade adds O’Reilly to its prospect pipeline. He is already signed through the 2027-28 season on an entry-level deal. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound centre is praised for his reliable two-way game and projects as a solid third-line centre. Potentially a second-line pivot who can kill penalties and win key faceoffs.
O’Reilly’s defensive game stands out over two seasons with the London Knights. He tallied 28 goals and 71 points in 62 regular-season games in 2024-25, a 15-point jump from the previous year. He also helped London claim back-to-back OHL titles and a Memorial Cup. This year in the OHL playoffs, he added seven goals and 22 points in 17 games.
Going Beyond the Trade
The trade gives the Lightning a promising young piece as they continue reshaping their prospect pool for the future. Lightning prospect Ethan Gauthier, 20, has shown progression since his draft as an early second-rounder two years ago. This was obvious during last week’s development camp, Gauthier’s third since the Lightning drafted him 37th overall in 2023.
The Lightning also added Pontus Holmberg, announcing on Tuesday a two-year contract with a $1.55 million AAV. The 26-year-old forward played 68 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, scoring seven goals and adding 12 assists for a career-high 19 points. Holmberg has 30 goals and 49 points in 159 career NHL games.
There are reasons to pay attention to this offseason. If the Tampa Bay Lightning’s offseason is going to make a difference in not only the upcoming season, but the playoffs, then they will need to make it happen with a limited amount of cash. They will also need to rely on new blood. New blood that hopefully doesn’t wind up with players on a stretcher and out of the lineup.
Coach or Be Coached
Jon Cooper’s offseason may have a clock ticking in his head after back-to-back first-round playoff exits in 2024 and 2025 to his cross-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. He has increasingly found himself waiting too long to make line changes. Maybe a little less loyalty and a lot more reality when it comes to benching players who aren’t producing. He has players available from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, like Gage Goncalves and Conor Geekie.
As the regular season feels like it gets longer and longer due to the number of injured players, Cooper needs to rest core players such as Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Brayden Point. Nick Paul, Darren Raddysh, and Dylan Duke are available. Use them. Kucherov with fresh legs will make a lethal difference in the postseason for the opponents.
The Bolts are not done tweaking the roster. They would love to be able to grab one or two more impact players before they start tightening their laces. The reality is that is easier said than done when every other team is after the same established players. So, what does that mean? Get creative. As mentioned, look up and down your organization. Who’s ready to make it in the NHL? Who’s time has come to find their game in the minors?
Jon Cooper isn’t new to these questions. But will he have the opportunity to ask them again next year?
Stay tuned.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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