With the salary cap set at $81.5 million, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien Brisebois will have a busy summer on the menu. With the expansion draft, the big man of the Florida team will lose an interesting element on the attack or on the blue line. In addition to losing one player in the expansion draft, the team is expected to lose three or four players, including defenseman David Savard.
Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and David Savard will not be able to return due to the salary cap and Julien Brisebois will most likely be forced to part with a guy like Alex Killorn. Tyler Johnson's contract doesn't excite any general manager.
Let's just say that the team will look a lot different and much more affordable for the other Bettman teams next season. If you take four players from the minor leagues to replace those players, it's hardly surprising that the Tampa Bay Lightning won't be the powerhouse they're expected to be.
"We don't know what our team is going to look like next year and if we'll all still be together. The guys are aware of what they have a chance to achieve if they sign another win," Jon Cooper added at his media availability on Saturday.
But the series is not over. The Habs could force a Game 5 in the next matchup between the two teams. Up 3-0, the Tampa Bay Lightning have no intention of giving the Tricolore any hope. Carey Price will have to bounce back and steal a game to give his team momentum.
