Sports Circuit

Leading up to the Trade Deadline last week, it was uncertain what Julien BriseBois, GM for the Lightning, was going to do. Previous seasons have shown the GM to be aggressive in giving his team the best chance to succeed in the current season. This season has been a little bit bumpier than previous years and the Lightning are fighting for a playoff spot in the hotly contested Eastern Conference. We’re going to take a look at the moves BriseBois made and how they might affect the Bolts’ chances of success moving forward.

On March 7th, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Anthony Duclair from the San Jose Sharks.

The Bolts received Duclair along with a 2025 7th round pick in exchange for defenseman prospect Jack Thompson and a 2024 3rd round pick.

Seeing how thin the prospect pool for Tampa is and the lack of draft capital they have, it’s hard to see Thompson leave the organization. BriseBois sacrificed a bit of the future to improve the squad this season, but not at an enormous cost. Duclair, having 27 points (16 goals, 11 assists) in 56 games with the Sharks, looks to improve the forward depth for the Lightning.

Duclair is on an expiring contract and becomes a UFA this offseason, but if he can bring some sorely missed depth scoring for the Bolts, the trade will be well worth it.

Trade Grade: B

On March 8th, the Lightning acquired Matt Dumba and a 2025 7th round pick from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2027 5th round pick.

Defense has been a weak spot for the Lightning this season, so seeing a veteran defenseman come to Tampa is a positive development for the team. This is another player with an expiring contract. Dumba had 10 points (four goals and six assists) and -13 +/- with the Arizona Coyotes this season. Dumba may be a little bit out of form compared to his play in Minnesota, but on a team competing for a playoff spot, there is reason to believe he can bring some attributes to the Bolts they may have been missing this season. Dumba can bring some physicality to the back end and potentially clean up Tampa’s defensive play.

BriseBois only having to give up a 5th rounder in 2027 for an experienced NHL defenseman seems to be a good gamble here for the Bolts, especially if he succeeds and is retained on a new contract beyond this season.

Trade Grade: B+