We’re in the offseason, folks. There is no more competitive hockey until this fall. While you’re catching up on your laundry and reintroducing yourselves to family members, not all is lost in the world of the NHL. There are still some things coming down the pipe, so here are a few dates to keep an eye on as the summer heats up.
The Buyout Window Opens – 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final until 5:00 PM EST, June 30th.
This is the first buyout window, and there is a chance that some teams, infused with extra cap space, might use it to buy out a bad contract or two. Could the Lightning take advantage of this window to clear out a contract? Honestly, it’s not likely. Julien BriseBois hasn’t really availed himself of that option 8his time as general manager, and there aren’t too many players that it makes sense for.
One exception to that might be Jonas Johansson. If Mr. BriseBois feels there is a better option on the open market, he might decide to cut ties with JoJo (which would also give the goaltender a chance to start looking for a new team). The Bolts would save about $833,333 in 2026-27 while taking a $416,667 hit in 2027-28.
The 2026 NHL Draft – June 26-27
The prospects will be in Buffalo, but it’ll be another decentralized draft with the general managers holed up in their respective war rooms. If you’re only interested in the Lightning’s picks, feel free to skip the first round on Friday. As of right now their first pick is in the second round (58th overall). They also have the 90th pick, 134th (originally Seattle’s), 154th, 186th, and 218th.
Qualifying offers due to restricted free agents – June 29th
In order to retain their RFA’s, teams have to have an offer in by the 29th. The only notable RFA the Lightning have right now is Ethan Samson, a 22-year-old defenseman who played in Syracuse last season. Technically, Hugo Alnefelt is a RFA as well, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they tender him an offer just to keep his rights for another season.
Keep an eye out for some players in other organizations that don’t receive qualifying offers. The Lightning were able to sign Jakob Pelletier and Pontus Holmberg after they weren’t qualified last summer.
Offer Sheet Season is open! – June 30
Again, the Lightning don’t really have to worry about losing any players to this process, and it’s not the most cost effective way to add talent to the roster. However, if the Lightning were feeling frisky, they do have the assets to swing for the fences.
NHL Free Agency begins – July 1, 12:00 PM
Christmas in July! The presents might not be as glamourous as they have been in the past, but some teams are going to crack open the checkbooks in hopes of changing their fortunes. As of right now, the Lightning’s unrestricted free agents are Corey Perry, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Mitchell Chaffee, Darren Raddysh, and Declan Carlile (Group VI). At the Syracuse level, Ian Mitchell, Brandon Halverson, and Ryan Fanti (Group VI) will be looking for new deals.
The 2027 free agents might outshine the 2026 ones on July 1 as it’s also the first day that players entering the final year of their contract (cough, Nikita Kucherov, cough) are eligible to sign an extension. Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Macklin Celebrini are some other players that could sign a big, fat contract.
Deadline for arbitration filings from eligible RFAs – July 5
Again, not an issue for the Lightning. Most teams will settle prior to the scheduled dates, but every once in a while, the two sides duke it out in a meeting room.
Draft rights expire for college players who have left their schools – August 15
As of right now, the Lightning are good to go. One player to keep an eye on is Jack Harvey. The forward has spent three seasons at Boston College. Does he think he’s ready for the pros and is willing to jump ship to make it happen? Klavs Veinbergs is another one that could be a free agent if he leaves Colorado College.
Hockey News
Lightning Awards season [Raw Charge]
We handed out some virtual hardware last night.
Vinny Prospal heads to St. Louis [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
Another former Lightning forward is heading to the coaching ranks in the NHL. Vinny Prospal, tenth all-time in points for Tampa Bay, is joining Jim Montgomery’s coaching staff in St. Louis. The 51-year-old has been an assistant coach in Rochester for the last three seasons.
How the Hurricane’s jock-nerd alliance won the Stanley Cup [ESPN]
Another chance to remind everyone that Eric Tulsky used to write for a SBNation site (our former home). The league’s newest “stat boy” managed to find a way to work with an old-school hockey coach in Rod Brind’Amour to build the Stanley Cup winning roster.
Mock Draft 2.0 [The Athletic]
Gavin McKenna is going first overall according to The Athletic’s latest mock draft. They have Seattle taking MoDo winger Elton Hermansson with the Lightning’s first-round pick.
