The Tampa Bay Lightning have been a model of excellence in the Eastern Conference for a decade, and despite losing their captain, Steven Stamkos, to Nashville during free agency, the Lightning are still potent contenders for the cup and will be for the foreseeable future. They are exceptionally managed, and their coach, John Cooper, is probably the best coach in the league.
It also helps that the Lightning are backstopped by Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is in the Vezina conversation year in and year out. As long as Vassy is between the pipes, the Lightning will be competitive for the cup.
However, Vasilevskiy is also used too much; he played 63 games this year, tied with Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck for the most in the league. He is also only two years removed from a major back surgery and has shown some signs of fatigue in the playoffs. The Lightning would be better suited to rest him more often throughout the year to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Pens trade goalie Alex Nedeljkovic for a 2026 third-round pick
This would benefit both teams. Tampa Bay would get a fringe starter in Nedeljkovic to serve as the backup and take much-needed stress off of Vasilevskiy. For the Penguins, this clears the way for Joel Blomqvist to be the full-time backup.
Pens trade for Isaac Howard
This is a realistic and, in many ways, a smart move for the Penguins. Isaac Howard is the Hobey Baker winner in College Hockey from Michigan State. Howard was also the Lightning's first-round selection in 2022 but has not signed his entry-level deal and will become a free agent next year. As to why he did not sign, it is likely because there is no path for him to get NHL minutes this year on the loaded Lightning forward group.
Howard would immediately be in the top nine forwards on the Penguins and get significant playing time. Kyle Dubas should spend some of the excess draft capital to take a flyer on a young player such as Howard, who will have three years to prove his worth at the NHL level.