Tampa Bay Lightning’s Biggest Positional Need This Offseason – The Hockey Writers – Tampa Bay Lightning

This offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be tasked with positioning themselves for another playoff run in 2026-27, and to do so, they must figure out what position to prioritize. There is no wrong answer, but we’ll argue that acquiring a defenseman should be at the top of management’s list. We’ll also discuss other needs to fully understand where the team stands.

Defense is a Must for the Lightning

On paper, the Lightning have a talented group on the blue line. However, injuries and other off-ice concerns meant the team was without key members for much of the season. Only three defensemen played 70 games or more: JJ Moser, Darren Raddysh and Charle-Edouard D’Astous, and only Erik Cernak joins the list if we extend it to 60 games or more.

Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh played a combined 81 games. Hedman dealt with injury and had to step away to address his mental health, while McDonagh suffered a lower-body injury. Options were slim after that. If another team decides to overpay for Raddysh’s offensive production in free agency, the Lightning’s blue line will be thin.

Some key forwards were able to help defensively, such as Selke Trophy runner-up Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel. However, both missed time too, and two-way forwards aren’t meant to supplement the defense; they’re supposed to complement it.

On top of that, the organization’s top prospects are all forwards. This summer, management would be wise to get some outside defensive help, even if they re-sign Raddysh. Making the position deeper will not only help the quality of the team’s blue line, but it will also make it easier to absorb the blow when injuries hit.

Lightning Could Look at Other Positions

While the Lightning have done a solid job improving their play at 5-on-5, the power play has suffered. In each of the last three seasons, they’ve seen one of their greatest strengths take a hit.

Power Play Percentage Over Past Three Seasons

• 2023-24: 28.6%, first in NHL
• 2024-25: 25.9%, fifth in NHL
• 2025-26: 20.7%, 17th in NHL

It’s been worse in the playoffs, dropping below 20% in the last two postseasons.

During the 2023-24 season, three players had double-digit power-play goals. Steven Stamkos led the way with 19. One season later, that number was two, when Jake Guentzel had 17. This last season, Raddysh was the only player to reach 10 power-play goals. Granted, Brayden Point, a key part of the man advantage, was injured for a chunk of the season and struggled to produce until the last couple of months. But that only builds the case for more help.

The team could also use a new backup goalie. Jonas Johansson has been a huge help and a major liability. In 25 games, he posted a .884 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.29 goals-against average (GAA). Even in the era when save percentages are way down, that isn’t going to cut it. Other options in the system, such as Brandon Halverson, haven’t succeeded when given the chance, while young talent like Harrison Menighen is far from ready to see NHL action.

Andrei Vasilevskiy is coming off his second Vezina Trophy, but his health is always in the back of everyone’s mind. He’ll be 32 heading into next season, so managing his workload will be that much more important. Having the right backup who can step in will have to become a priority.

There is a clear order of priorities for this offseason. Deepen the defense and find another piece offensive piece to help the power play. Don’t count on the backup goalie being addressed this summer, since it’s the lowest priority here anyway. If they can address the two main issues, they will have a stronger team for 2026-27.