By Michael Wax
With the Lightning’s 2023 season coming to an end following a 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in game six of round one, the Bolts’ offseason has started earlier than they've been accustomed to over the past three seasons. It's just the third time since 2013-14 that their season has ended in the month of April, joining 2017 and 2019, and it subsequently gives general manager Julien BriseBois time to examine his roster for next season.
Entering next season, the Lightning currently have a roster of 15 skaters and one goaltender, and will work with approximately $8.475 million in cap space. Below are all of the main roster players scheduled to hit some type of free agency on July 1.
F Alex Killorn
F Ross Colton (RFA)
F Pierre-Édouard Bellemare
F Corey Perry
F Tanner Jeannot (RFA)
D Ian Cole
G Brian Elliott
What is Each Designation?
UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Come July 1, none of the players listed as UFAs will be a part of the Lightning organization. The UFAs for the Lightning are wide-ranging. Many of these UFAs are older, such as Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Corey Perry, and Brian Elliott. Both Bellemare and Perry mentioned during the exit interviews that they’d like to continue playing, but are keeping all of their options open. Elliott has not made his intentions known.
Alex Killorn and Ian Cole still have plenty of miles left in the tank, even after extensive careers for both. Cole spent one season in Bolts blue, scoring his most goals in a season since 2019-20 and providing adequate results on the Bolts’ bottom pair. Killorn, on the other hand, is currently the Lightning organization’s longest tenured player. Drafted back in 2007, Killorn ranks fifth in Lightning history in games played (805), sixth in goals (198), and seventh in points (466). Killorn has also provided solid defense, whether that be at 5-on-5 or the penalty kill. The 33-year-old doesn’t want to leave the Lightning, and has stated in the past that he would’ve retired had he been traded away from the Lightning at any point in recent seasons.
RFA (Restricted Free Agent)
Unlike an unrestricted free agent, a restricted free agent is tied to a team based on a qualifying offer (QO). This year, the deadline for qualifying offers is June 25 at 5:00pm EST. If a team gives a player a QO, that player can then go into FA, but any offer sheet they sign can be matched by the original team.
On the main roster, the Lightning have two restricted free agents in 2023: forwards Ross Colton and Tanner Jeannot. With Colton’s QO set at $1.25 million and Jeannot’s QO set at $892,500, the Lightning should be able to afford both. Now, whether they sign or trade Colton or Jeannot following extending the qualifying offer is a different story, and part of the fascination of the offseason.
Overall Thoughts
This is going to be JBB’s toughest test to date. Maybe not in the caliber of player the Lightning are losing, but in the amount of players that are heading out the door and the money the Lightning have to replace them. If players like Alex Killorn and Ian Cole want to stay, they’ll more than likely have to take discounts from their current contracts. Meanwhile, Colton and Jeannot are both getting raises, and the fourth line will see a massive shake up, and the Lightning will probably go with a new backup goalie as well.
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