Lightning Rumors: 3 Players Who May Have Played Their Last Game in Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated in five games thanks to the powerhouse Florida Panthers and now expect to see some changes coming. The Lightning have some major decisions to make this upcoming offseason as GM Julien BriseBois has his work cut out for him.

The Lightning project to have only $12.1 million in available cap space for the 2024-25 season and there's plenty more work to go around than there are resources. Here's a few Lightning players who may have played their last game in Tampa Bay:

Steven Stamkos

Stamkos started this season by admitted how frustrated he was with the lack of contract extension talks that took place between his agent and BriseBois last summer and now after a first-round exit, anything is on the table. The 34-year-old is a pending free agent who would be offered some huge money on the open market, money the Lightning may not be able to compete with given their cap restraints. Stamkos put up 81 points in 79 games during the regular season and followed that up with five goals and six points in five playoff games. He'd be the biggest name among free-agent forwards and this has become quite the story line to watch in Tampa Bay.

Steven Stamkos is a pending UFA. He can be found all over the #GoBolts franchise leaderboards:

Games - 1,082 (1st)
Goals - 555 (1st)
Assists - 582 (2nd)
Points - 1,137 (1st)
EVG - 336 (1st)
PPG - 214 (1st)
GWG - 85 (1st)
SOG - 3,332 (1st)
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 30, 2024

Steven Stamkos was the last Bolts player to leave the ice...

Is this the last time we see him in a Tampa Bay sweater? pic.twitter.com/KPldbZNRIz
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 30, 2024

Anthony Duclair

Added at the deadline, Duclair was great for Tampa down the stretch. Unfortunately for the Lightning he wasn't able to keep it going in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the ex-Florida Panther only registered two assists in five games. Duclair can fly and his speed and skill will be very appealing to onlooking teams come July. Don't expect to see he re-sign with the Lightning.

Matt Dumba

Another trade-deadline acquisition, Dumba was solid for the Lightning but unfortunately, couldn't help get them passed the Panthers. As a right-handed defenseman who loves to throw his weight around, look for the market for Dumba to be very hot this summer and look for Dumba to not wait it out this time around. Dumba signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes last summer, well after most of the free agents were off the board. Look for the blueliner to sign a multi-year deal this time around and likely not in Tampa Bay.

“He belongs here. We know it. He knows it."

Jon Cooper on Steven Stamkos's future with Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/HHvornEw4R
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2024