The 2025 NHL draft is quickly approaching and the Lightning will have seven picks total, starting in the second round. General manager Julien BriseBois didn’t specify where moves would be made this summer, but he has stated that he likes the team he has. The Lightning have no interest in another early playoff exit. A few key moves could get them where they want to be heading into next season.

Last year, the Bolts made headlines at the 2024 NHL draft by trading longtime defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Utah in exchange for J.J. Moser and Conor Geekie. The deal moved the team in a new direction and also cleared necessary cap space that was later used to acquire forward Jake Guentzel at free agency.

Pending Unrestricted Free Agents

Luke Glendening, Cam Atkinson and Nick Perbix remain as pending unrestricted free agents. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported this week that Perbix and Atkinson are both set to enter free agency on July 1. Atkinson all but confirmed Pagnotta’s report via tweet.

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If Perbix and Atkinson both move on, that leaves Glendening. He’s a player that has battled injuries the past couple of years, but remained a productive and reliable fourth liner for the Lightning.

Tampa Bay’s only remaining arbitration-eligible restricted free agent is forward Gage Goncalves.

Goncalves comes at an affordable price and the Lightning were impressed with his development at the end of the season. It would make sense for him to stay. We’ll see how things unfold as we get into the weekend.

The Lightning will have to submit a qualifying offer by Monday, June 30. Goncalves can choose to file for an arbitration hearing by July 5.

Will they trade the rights to Isaac Howard?

The Isaac Howard situation is one that could go a couple different ways. BriseBois has indicated that Howard wants to pick the team he plays for, which would naturally narrow down which teams the Lightning can partner with on a trade.

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If Howard’s sentiment is the same as it’s been and he does not want to stay with the organization, this weekend’s draft could be an opportunity to get a first-round pick out of the situation. BriseBois could use that to make immediate upgrades to their roster.

The phones reportedly lit up when word got out that Howard would likely not be staying with the organization. He is the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner and a top prospect in college hockey. The situation would make sense for a team looking to build for the future, as long as Howard approved.

If Howard becomes a free agent next summer, the Lightning will only receive a second-round compensation pick in 2027.

Current Lightning Selections

Round 2 – 56 overall (from Los Angeles)

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Round 4 – 127 overall (from Edmonton)

Round 5 – 151 overall

Round 7 – 193 overall (from San Jose)

Round 7 – 206 overall (from Utah)

Round 7 – 212 overall (from Minnesota)

Round 7 – 215 overall

Photo Credit: © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images