Keeping Tampa a Contender - Namestnikov Resigns

Interesting perspective. Over 5 million in cap space left over to sign a better 3rd line option to skate with Johnson and Killorn. Would also have like to have seen Peca resigned to be at least the 13th Fwd.

Not sure if Joseph and Volkov will be ready by next year. Will more likely be Howden and Cirelli

In all honesty, I don't think Volkov would be next year either, but he looked really good in camp/pre-season, it was obvious he wasn't going to make the team for development's sake, but there are some who thought he could've made a 4th line spot this year, I agree Cirelli can make the team next year. As for Joseph, Tampa will need to resign Brown, target a UFA, or bring up a RW prospect next year. I don't see it being Raddysh, and I don't want to put Howden on the wing. Joseph makes sense to me. He wouldn't be being brought in to be a major scorer, more or less taking over Brown's role of speed, playing with intensity, and can help put it in the back of the net every now and then. Raddysh is just more of a skill guy who will need a year in the AHL.



There likely isn't a UFA though wanting a 1 year deal for that slot since Tampa won't want a multi-year deal in order for space for all the RFAs and UFAs in the following off-season, unless Tampa goes off the board, they're a team who like to build from within for forwards at least so I see it more likely as a prospect or Brown resigning. As for Peca, I won't be shocked if he resigns, but his time to become an NHLer in Tampa is over I think, more likely he'll be with a new organization or sticking in the AHL next year.